Tanaka Musungwini
Child protection systems are designed to safeguard children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence. In Zimbabwe, notable progress has been made through structures such as the National Case Management System (NCMS), Childline Zimbabwe, and community-based child protection committees. However, while these systems are functional, they are often protection-focused rather than child-sensitive, meaning they respond to harm but do not fully address children’s developmental, emotional, and social needs. A child-sensitive approach goes beyond protection to ensure that services are responsive, inclusive, participatory, child-centred, and aligned with children’s lived realities. This article argues that Zimbabwe must transition from a reactive system to a holistic, child-centred model that prioritises both protection and development outcomes.
Theoretical framework
This article is anchored on the Child-Sensitive Social Protection framework by Roelen & Sabates-Wheeler (2012), which identifies three core dimensions of child vulnerability, namely: biological and physical needs like nutrition, health, and safety; strategic needs, such as children’s dependence on adults and limited autonomy; and institutional invisibility, that is, lack of voice in policy and decision-making. This framework is particularly relevant to Zimbabwe, where children’s voices are often underrepresented, and services tend to prioritise immediate protection over long-term development. Integrating this framework enables policymakers to design systems that are responsive, inclusive, and development-oriented.
Global context
Globally, child protection is guided by international frameworks led by organisations such as UNICEF and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNICEF emphasises that child protection systems must ensure that children grow up in safe, nurturing environments, free from violence and exploitation. Similarly, UNDP highlights that child-sensitive social protection systems should address poverty, vulnerability, and inequality while promoting long-term well-being. International standards require integration of protection with health, education, and social services; child participation in decisions affecting them; equity and inclusion, especially for vulnerable groups; and strengthening family- and community-based care systems. These principles align with global commitments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
International evidence base and what works
Evidence from Roelen & Sabates-Wheeler (2012) demonstrates that effective child-sensitive systems must address not only immediate risks but also structural and developmental vulnerabilities. Their research highlights that child-sensitive programmes improve long-term developmental outcomes, addressing children’s lack of voice enhances programme effectiveness, and supporting caregivers is critical to child well-being. This reinforces the need for Zimbabwe to move beyond service provision toward transformative child protection systems.
African perspective and lessons from the region
Across Africa, child-sensitive social protection programmes have demonstrated measurable impact. A 2021 study by the African Platform for Social Protection found that in Kenya, cash transfers for Orphans and Vulnerable Children reduced child labour by 27% and improved school attendance; in Rwanda, the Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme increased school enrolment and reduced child marriage; and in Lesotho, child grants improved mental health and reduced institutionalisation. Across the three countries, birth registration improved significantly, and teenage pregnancy rates declined among beneficiaries. These findings demonstrate that child-sensitive approaches are transformative, addressing not only protection but also poverty, education, and health outcomes.
The Zimbabwean context: successes and gaps
Zimbabwe has made commendable progress in establishing a robust child protection framework, with strengths such as strong legal and policy frameworks aligned with international standards, multisectoral collaboration between government, NGOs, and other key stakeholders, functional reporting systems such as Childline, and community-based structures enhancing local ownership. Despite these successes, there are gaps, including heavy reliance on donor funding affecting sustainability, limited child participation in decision-making, fragmentation of services and coordination challenges, rural-urban inequalities in access to services, limited focus on early childhood development (ECD), and weak inclusion of children with disabilities. These gaps highlight that while Zimbabwe’s system is operational, it is not yet fully child-sensitive.
Recommendations
It is highly recommended that Zimbabwe adopt a holistic, integrated approach that integrates Early Childhood Development (ECD) with programmes that support cognitive, emotional, and social development, not just survival, as recommended by Lucas et al., (2018). The country should strengthen caregiver support and parenting interventions that improve developmental outcomes and enhance child well-being (Jeong et al., 2021). In addition, children must be actively involved in decision-making processes affecting their lives, and there is a need to expand social protection systems, including cash transfers and school support, to reduce vulnerability and prevent exploitation. Furthermore, there is a need for improved coordination and stronger collaboration to reduce duplication and enhance efficiency (Banda & Ngwerume, 2021). Other recommendations include targeted interventions for children with disabilities and those in rural areas, and aligning child protection with cultural contexts while prioritising the best interests of the child, as highlighted by Adonteng-Kissi (2023). There is also a need to strengthen monitoring and evaluation by incorporating child-sensitive indicators that measure developmental outcomes, not just protection outcomes.
Conclusion and author’s perspective
It is my strong conviction that while Zimbabwe has made significant progress in child protection, there remains considerable room for improvement in making these services more child-sensitive and child-friendly. The foundation for child protection is already in place, but what is needed now is a deliberate shift toward inclusive, participatory, and development-focused child-sensitive systems. Child protection should not only prevent harm but should also enable children to thrive, grow, and realise their full potential.
“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” – Nelson Mandela
About the author
Tanaka Musungwini is a final-year BSc (Hons) Social Work student at the Women’s University in Africa and a passionate advocate for child rights and adolescent health. She has a strong interest in strengthening child protection systems and advancing youth-centred development approaches.
Disclaimer: While the author acknowledges and references work from various organisations and scholars, the views expressed in this opinion piece, as well as any errors or omissions, remain the sole responsibility of the author.
