Shamaine Chirimujiri
PUBLIC Service, Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister Mercy Dinha has urged African governments and child protection stakeholders to strengthen regional cooperation and continue sharing experiences to ensure that “no child in Africa is left behind.”
The remarks were made at the Regional conference on Family based care and placement in Zambia recently, where Dinha said Zimbabwe was currently developing an inclusive National After Care Policy designed to support children leaving care institutions as they transition into adulthood, including children with disabilities.
“Let us reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring that every child grows up in a loving, protective, and stable family environment, with institutional care remaining only but a measure of last resort for the shortest period possible.”
“Together, let us strengthen regional cooperation, as we invest in resilient child protection systems and continue sharing knowledge and experiences so that no child in Africa is left behind,” she said.
“On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe as I extend my profound gratitude to the Government of Zambia, in partnership with Care for Children, for convening this historic conference dedicated to promoting family-based care and placement.”
The deputy minister said the development of the National After Care Policy initiative seeks to assist children aging out of orphanages and children’s homes who struggle to reintegrate into society.
“We are developing an inclusive National after Care Policy aimed at transforming the lives of children leaving care by ensuring access to a minimum package of support during their transition into adulthood, including children with disabilities,” she said.
“These reintegration challenges are increasingly compounded by the gradual weakening of kinship ties and the erosion of traditional community support systems rooted in our Ubuntu philosophy.
“Once finalised, Zimbabwe will become one of the pioneering countries in Africa to establish such a progressive and comprehensive after-care framework.”
She noted that Zimbabwe is restructuring child welfare to keep kids in families and communities where possible, using a new policy and action plan that is aligned with AU and UN frameworks.
“In line with these commitments, Zimbabwe is implementing structured reforms to deinstitutionalize the care system and strengthen family-based care.
“The National Policy for the Care and Protection of Children without Parental Care, with its six-tier safety net system of care prioritises family and community-based care over institutionalisation,”Dinha added.
“The policy is also informed by the African Union 2023 Continental Study on Children without Parental Care in Africa.
“Further, Zimbabwe is implementing the National Action Plan for Children IV, which focuses on preventing family separation through inclusive social services and strengthened family and community support systems, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2.”
Meanwhile, the deputy minister also highlighted that digital innovation is a key transformative tool in strengthening child protection systems.
“Platforms such as the National Case Management Information System are improving case tracking, strengthening data management, supporting continuous learning for child protection professionals, and enhancing accountability, efficiency, and evidence-based decision-making, “she said.