ZIMBABWE

ZIMBABWE

REPORT BY NGO GROUP TO THE CRC COMMITTEE

12^th SESSION

May-June 1996

FOCUSING ON PARTICIPATION, PROTECTION AND VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN
& YOUTH

Progress made by Zimbabwe on
national laws

The government’s progress to develop a Poverty Alleviation
Strategy Plan, if well conceived, will be crucial in solving children’s plight
in Zimbabwe.

Difficulties in
fulfilling the CRC

Poverty is a cause of child exploitation. Access to
education, to health services and to

Definition of the
Child: The legal definition of child in Zimbabwe is in accordance with the
Convention and the African Charter, but there are still problems in enforcing
the law, as there are still early marriages in some areas. There are no
prohibition as to the sale of alcohol to children in supermarkets and general
stores.

Respect for the views
of the Child; The group supports the Zimbabwe’s concern in the breakdown
of communication between parents and children. The country needs to implement a
widespread awareness campaign in this regard.

Corporal Punishment;
Corporal Punishment in Zimbabwe is widespread under the guise of legitimacy and the group feels that the
current legislation on corporal punishment in schools should be implemented.

Family Environment
and Alternative care; Children removed from their home for their own safety
and placed in state care face serious problems due to poor alternative care
facilities that allow forms of treatment, rehabilitation and counseling. The
lack of manpower in the Department of Social Welfare is also another factor
that contributes to the problem faced in the alternative care system, the group
encourages the Government to ask NGOs to complement their work in this field.
Children should have the opportunity to voice their opinion on their current circumstances.

Children with
Disability; There are appropriate policies in place even though there is
lack of resources for the implementation. The group recommends providing
physical access to ordinary schools for physically disabled children, increase availability
of educational facilities for disabled children, improve parent support
facilities and training to teachers.

Economic
Exploitation; The group feels that
the government of Zimbabwe should introduce mire comprehensive legislation relating to the minimum age for
employment in accordance with the ILO child labour and child exploitation act.
It should also be prohibited for children to work in dangerous workplace like
the tobacco barns and owners of such barns should be held accountable.

The group recommends that a relatively independent body
along with the national commission for children monitor the implementation of
the Convention. This body should be able to receive complaints of violation of
children’s rights.