UNICEF Zimbabwe sign a MoU with Midlands State University to protect children rights
This will go a long way in creating opportunities for interventions and advocacy around pertinent issues on the rights of children.
UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative Dr Tajudeen Oyewale recently signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Midlands State University Vice Chancellor Prof. Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa aimed at advocating for and protecting child rights through research in various themes.
This MoU is a binding dedication to escalate research in thematic areas around the empowerment of children, including child rights, health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene, child protection, education, social policy and research and child empowerment.
This will go a long way in creating opportunities for interventions and advocacy around pertinent issues on children's rights. UNICEF has been crucial in fostering children’s services and rights in Zimbabwe. The Country Office has been at the forefront of upholding and protecting the rights and welfare of women and children in Zimbabwe since 1982. Together with the many donors, UN partners and international and national NGOs, UNICEF Zimbabwe focuses on strengthening social and health services to drive sustainably.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Gweru, UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative Dr Tajudeen Oyewale said the purpose of the MoU is to establish a formal partnership between UNICEF Zimbabwe and MSU that provides a platform for the generation and sharing of knowledge about children and child rights.
“As we sign this MoU, we are creating a formal framework to promote research and evidence generation to inform policy and practice as well as facilitate dialogue on topical issues impacting children and the economy. It will also allow us to continue advocating for the furtherance of the rights and wellbeing of children in Zimbabwe”, said Dr Tajudeen.
Both institutions acknowledge the role of research, capacity development, policy dialogue and advocacy.
This is seen as one of the central pillars of an effective, inclusive, child and gender-sensitive policy formulation and facilitation in national development.
The agreement also seeks to promote and enhance cooperation among relevant stakeholders, including government, academia, development partners, private sector, and civil society, to combine knowledge, capacities, and expertise in developing innovative policy options fit for the country’s context to improve the lives of the children in Zimbabwe.
MSU Vice Chancellor Prof. Muzvidziwa highlighted that the university values partnerships prioritising children’s rights in Zimbabwe.
He said: “On behalf MSU, the signing of the MoU is unique because partnerships with UN Agencies will see the university participate in achieving the 2022-2026 Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework”.
UNICEF Zimbabwe and MSU knowledge and capacities will be strengthened to analyse, advocate and influence and legislative environment for improved investment in children and adolescents in Zimbabwe.
Dr Tajudeen also visited the MSU Innovation Hub for an overall appreciation of MSU research innovation and business development system.
During the tour of the lab, a student at MSU, Luke Magayo presented the E-Fundo online learning to Dr Tajudeen, who expressed joy and indicated that he was eager for students in primary up to tertiary education to interact with the e-learning platform.
