BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The Zimbabwean government is committed to protecting children’s rights and ensuring that they enjoy a dignified childhood, latest minutes from Cabinet have revealed.
This follows the consideration and approval of the National Action Plan for Children IV: 2026-2030.
Minutes from today’s (Tuesday 24, February 2026) Cabinet meeting, revealed that the protection of children will be implemented through the development of National Action Plans.
“The current Plan aims to improve children’s well-being by employing evidence-based methods and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration.
“Its goals include enhancing access to quality services, strengthening protection mechanisms, increasing community capacity, reducing child labour and ensuring effective policy enforcement.
“The Plan addresses emerging challenges such as child labour, poverty, and online violence, targeting vulnerable groups including orphans and girls who face the risk of child marriage,” read the Cabinet minutes.
It was added that the Plan aligns with national, regional and international frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Zimbabwe’s legal statutes.
“Additionally, the Plan will be linked to the local child protection policies and legislation.
“The Plan is structured around five pillars, namely: Improved Access to Inclusive Basic Social Services; Ending Violence Against Children; Family and Community Capacity Strengthening; Elimination of Child Labour; and Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building.
“The Plan sets specific outcomes aimed at increasing access to services, reducing harm, empowering families, eradicating child labour and enhancing enforcement.
“Cross-cutting issues encompassing gender, disability, and climate change are also integrated across all pillars.”
It was further reported that the Plan is supported by a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Framework to ensure oversight and stakeholder engagement, along with an advocacy strategy utilising media, community outreach, and public events for information dissemination.
