UNICEF Child Protection Zimbabwe (CPF) III 2023 -2026
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The main purpose of CPF III is to contribute to the UNICEF Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022- 2026 which is aimed at contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development that provides all children, including adolescents, with opportunities to fulfill their potential, lead a healthy life, access quality learning and protection and meaningfully participat...
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The main purpose of CPF III is to contribute to the UNICEF Country Programme Document (CPD) 2022- 2026 which is aimed at contributing to sustainable socioeconomic development that provides all children, including adolescents, with opportunities to fulfill their potential, lead a healthy life, access quality learning and protection and meaningfully participate in society is to strengthen and maintain the functionality of the child protection system especially in the face of limited fiscal resources from the State. In particular the CPF III will contribute to the realization of the Child Protection programme outcome that seeks to ensure that: by 2026, children, adolescents and young people are better protected from violence, abuse and exploitation, are registered in a timely manner and benefit from improved prevention and response systems in development and humanitarian settings. In order to achieve this outcome, realise this vision, the CPF III project will provide support across four Result Areas. These are described below. Result Area 1. Access to child protection and welfare services including birth registration for the most vulnerable children through the National Case Management System. UNICEF will support protection and welfare response interventions to address violence against girls, boys and women in 10 high priority CP districts. It will also ensure that all children and adolescents, including those most vulnerable, have access to birth registration services. Result area 2. Prevention of VAC and GBV through interventions that address harmful practices, social and gender norms and behavioural drivers of violence. The focus of this result area is to ensure that: Communities, caregivers, children, adolescents and young people have the information, knowledge and skills that address harmful social and gender norms, promote positive care giving and early detection and response of protection risks. Result area 3. Access to child-friendly justice system and services Under this result area, UNICEF will support the Government to implement its child-related justice delivery commitments, through strengthening of relevant institutions, decentralizing institutions for justice delivery including the Legal Aid Directorate and the courts, improving access to justice for vulnerable people including women, children and persons with disabilities, aligning laws to the Constitution, and establishing integrated electronic case management system, among others. Result area 4. Policy, legal and regulatory framework improvements and reform, coordination and institutional capacity strengthening. The focus of this result area is to ensure that: An effective child protection and GBV legal, regulatory and policy framework is in place to prevent and respond to child protection and GBV risks, and institutional capacity to enforce it.
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Result
In 2024, the Child Protection Fund (CPF) Programme III entered its second year of implementation with the ambitious goal of reaching 10,000 vulnerable children across Zimbabwe. This initiative was driven by the growing challenges of poverty, a fragile social protection system, and the adverse effects of climate shocks such as El Niño. The programme not only met but exceeded its target, ultimately reaching 10,646 children6,388 girls and 4,258 boysacross 11 districts. One of the core interventions was the enhancement of child protection services through capacity building for social workers and Community Childcare Workers (CCWs). These professionals were trained to identify and respond to a wide range of child protection issues, including sexual and physical abuse, child marriages, abandonment, and family separation. Children were identified through schools, health centres, water point committees, and community members, with adolescents aged 1316 accounting for a significant portion of self-reported cases. This approach led to a more responsive and skilled workforce, capable of addressing complex child protection needs. Improved Case Management and Response Times: To improve the efficiency of case handling, the programme provided operational support, refresher training, stipends, and communication tools such as data and airtime to social workers and CCWs. These enhancements significantly reduced the average time from case identification to response initiationfrom 39 days to just 22 days. This improvement was particularly impactful in cases of sexual abuse, where timely intervention is critical. The reduction in response time not only improved outcomes for affected children but also restored community trust in the child protection system. Promoting Inclusion and Reducing Stigma: The CPF Programme III placed a strong emphasis on the inclusion of children with disabilities. Through community engagement and the involvement of traditional leaders, the programme worked to reduce stigma and improve access to services for these children. A key achievement was the establishment of 20 child stimulation and daycare centres, which provided early childhood education and therapy. These centres now serve as replicable models for inclusive care, demonstrating how targeted interventions can create more equitable opportunities for all children. In 2024, Zimbabwes Pre-Trial Diversion (PTD) , supported by the Child Protection Fund (CPF), made significant strides in promoting a rehabilitative approach to juvenile justice. A total of 774 out of 818 first-time child offenders were successfully diverted from formal prosecution, achieving a 96.5% diversion rate. Social workers played a key role in assessing cases, coordinating rehabilitation, and leading awareness campaigns. The programme also trained over 1,400 stakeholders and conducted 84 crime prevention sessions, contributing to faster case resolutionoften within two weeksand reducing recidivism. Complementing this, 1,602 justice professionals, including magistrates and court intermediaries, received training on child-sensitive procedures, disability inclusion, and case management, leading to more consistent and empathetic handling of child-related cases. Access to justice was further expanded through free legal aid provided to 2,625 children, far exceeding the initial target of 500. This included mobile legal clinics and the decentralization of the Victim Friendly System (VFS), which handled nearly 2,800 cases and was extended to underserved areas like Mbare and Zvishavane. Disability Inclusion Committees and trained interpreters improved accessibility for children with disabilities. These reforms, reflect growing confidence in the justice system. Moving forward, regular field visits by partners and stakeholders will be essential to monitor implementation, gather feedback, and ensure that these child-friendly justice reforms are sustained and scaled nationwide. Empowering Parents and Caregivers:The programme established parental support groups and provided advocacy training. These initiatives empowered parents and caregivers with the knowledge and confidence to navigate education, health, and social protection systems. As a result, families became more resilient and better equipped to support their childrens development and well-being. Addressing the Needs of Children on the Move: In border districts such as Beitbridge, Bulilima, and Chiredzi, the CPF Programme III addressed the unique needs of children on the movemany of whom were fleeing socio-economic hardship or neglect. With UNICEFs support, social workers provided individualized case management, conducted family tracing, and facilitated successful reunifications. Coordination between districts ensured that reintegration was not only safe but also sustainable, reducing the risk of re-trafficking or further displacement. Enhancing Birth Registration Services: Birth registration was a key focus of the CPF Programme III, as it is essential for securing children's rights and access to services. The programme collaborated with health, education, and social protection sectors to facilitate registration through community platforms and outreach activities. Traditional leaders in Manicaland and Matabeleland played a crucial role in supporting the registration of 3,520 births. Additionally, digitilization efforts led to 4,178 children2,173 girls and 2,005 boysreceiving birth certificates. These efforts have made the registration process faster, more transparent, and scalable. Systemic Improvements and Sustainability: Despite delays in funding from the Treasury, UNICEFs financial and technical support enabled significant improvements in the monitoring and evaluation of birth registration and child protection services. The digitilization of civil registration processes and enhanced cross-sector collaboration improved service delivery and accountability. These systemic changes have laid the groundwork for a more sustainable and resilient child protection framework. Legal Reforms and Policy Development: The CPF Programme III also contributed to significant legal and policy reforms. With technical support from UNICEF, Zimbabwe enacted several landmark reforms in 2024. Notably, the Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Act raised the age of sexual consent from 16 to 18, aligning with the constitutional minimum marriage age. This reform introduced stricter penalties for sexual offenses against minors and brought national legislation in line with international child protection standards. UNICEFs involvement in bill drafting, legal simplification, and stakeholder consultations ensured that these reforms were both comprehensive and inclusive. Conclusion The CPF Programme III has delivered measurable and transformative improvements in child protection and welfare services across Zimbabwe. Each interventionfrom capacity building and digitilization to parental empowerment and legal reformhas contributed to a more inclusive, responsive, and resilient child protection system. With over 10,000 children reached, thousands of birth certificates issued, and response times nearly halved, the programme has laid a strong foundation for long-term systemic change. Continued investment and policy alignment will be essential to sustain these gains and address the root causes of child vulnerability.
The CPF III will contribute to the realization of the Child Protection programme outcome that seeks to ensure that: by 2026, children, adolescents and young people are better protected from violence, abuse and exploitation, are registered in a timely manner and benefit from improved prevention and response systems in development and humanitarian settings. Access to child protection and welfare services including birth registration for the most vulnerable children through the National Case Management System Prevention of VAC and GBV through interventions that address harmful practices, social and gender norms and behavioural drivers of violence. Access to child-friendly justice system and services Policy, legal and regulatory framework improvements and reform, coordination and institutional capacity strengthening
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