Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
ZIMBABWE will today join the rest of the African continent in commemorating the International Day of the African Child, ahead of the country’s own celebrations scheduled for Friday, where President Mnangagwa will officially open the 33rd Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe in Harare.
The Junior Parliament event will take place at the New Parliament building in Mt Hampden.
The International Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union (AU).
The day was born from the brave uprising of schoolchildren in Soweto, South Africa, in 1976, who marched against inferior education under the Apartheid regime.
The commemorations are being held under the AU theme “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: Progress since 2010”.
Zimbabwe has embraced the theme with a sense of urgency, aligning it with domestic efforts to ensure that no child is left behind.
The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training acting director for Communication and Advocacy Mr Ranson Madzamba confirmed that June 16 is an important day on the African calendar.
He highlighted that it is the day of the African Child, saying the day is befitting as it is a reminder of sacrifices young people make for their countries.
“On 16 June 1976 more than 700 children were massacred in Soweto, South Africa while protesting against racial discrimination and poor quality of education,” he stated.
Mr Madzamba said that the theme seeks to reflect on the Government’s commitment to children’s rights through budget allocation and programme implementation.
“Well, it seeks to advocate and lobby for children and young people’s rights.
“It seeks to advocate for child friendly budgeting as well as to also enhance children and young people’s leadership skills,” he said.
According to Mr Madzamba, the official opening of the Junior Parliament and commemorations of the Day of the African Child will take place at the Parliament of Zimbabwe on Friday June 20.
President Mnangagwa is expected to give his keynote address.
He said that preparations are now at an advanced stage and all is going on well.
“The official opening and first sitting of the 33rd Junior Parliament Session will see the young people share their experiences, lobby for alignment of laws and adoption of policies for children in the presence of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and his Cabinet, Members of Parliament, Government officials, civic society and children,” said Mr Madzamba.
“Zimbabwe lost more than 6 000 women and children in Chimoio at the Chindunduma educational base on November 23, 1977 and another 1 028 at the Nyadzonia massacre in August 1976, where they had assembled to participate in liberating the country from colonial rule.
“The Day of the African Child stands to commemorate these young people and the brave actions they took in defence of their rights.”
He said the celebrations were critical in allowing the nation to take stock of the progress made so far in investing in children’s rights.
“The 33rd Junior Parliament presents an opportunity for all stakeholders in adolescents and youth rights, including the Government, non-governmental and international entities, to reflect on investment for children in Zimbabwe.”
“Young people will present their priority issues to the Government from all constituencies of Zimbabwe.
“The session will also see the Junior Parliament actively involved in advocating for child-friendly policies, full implementation of programmes and supporting the Government in outreach programmes required to reach young people and children in their various constituencies.”
Zimbabwe Youth Council director Brian Nyagwande said elections for the upcoming parliamentarians had been conducted, with selected learners to start a week-long capacity-building training today.
“Zimbabwe uses the Day of the African Child to officially open the Junior Parliament, which is a platform used by the Government to engage and hear voices from children,” he said.
Mr Nyagwande said the Junior Parliament Alumni will also be launched on Friday.
“This will allow past members to bring in experience to the upcoming junior parliamentarians. We will also be able to develop a child protection guidelines policy, which we will use going forward,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s efforts in protecting children’s rights align with the AU’s Agenda 2040 for Children, ensuring safer futures for minors.
UNICEF representative in Zimbabwe, Ms Etona Ekole, noted Zimbabwe’s progress in protecting children’s rights as the country marks the International Day of the African Child tomorrow.
“Zimbabwe’s commitment is evident in its policy frameworks,” she said. “The National Development Strategy 1 prioritises human capital development, health, education and social protection — areas that directly impact children.
“The National Health Strategy, the Education Sector Strategic Plan and the National Nutrition Strategy all reflect a growing recognition of children as the heart of national development.”
She said through initiatives such as the Child Budgeting Series, launched by the Government with UNICEF support, key stakeholders — from ministries to Parliament and donors, stakeholders have come together to assess how economic policies translate into outcomes for children.
“These dialogues are not only technical exercises; they are a testament to political will and a vision for the future,” Ms Ekole said.
This year’s Junior Parliament is expected to shine a spotlight on the progress made under the Second Republic in advancing the rights and welfare of children.
As part of the celebrations, child parliamentarians will present motions, raise concerns and highlight success stories drawn from communities across the country, amplifying the voices of young Zimbabweans.
Since the advent of the Second Republic in 2017, led by President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe has seen a notable shift towards more inclusive and child-sensitive governance.
A series of legislative reforms, policy upgrades and social protection interventions have been rolled out to improve the lives of children and protect their rights.
One of the most groundbreaking legal achievements has been the Marriages Act of 2022, which criminalises child marriage by setting the minimum age of marriage at 18 years.
The law harmonises marriage laws and shields girls in particular from early marriages, a practice that had previously robbed many of education and a stable future.
In education, the Education Amendment Act of 2020 proposed free basic education as a legal obligation and prohibited the expulsion of pregnant girls from school, a bold move to safeguard the right to education for all children, regardless of circumstance.
The Government has also revitalised the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), which now benefits over 1,5 million children, covering school fees, uniforms and stationery for vulnerable learners.
Healthcare delivery for children has also improved.
Through support from partners and expanded Government commitment, Zimbabwe has increased vaccination coverage, reduced child mortality and invested in child-friendly health centres.
Additionally, nutrition programmes in schools and communities have been scaled up, particularly under the school feeding scheme, now a mainstay in public primary schools.
The proposed Children’s Amendment Bill, now at an advanced legislative stage, is set to further cement children’s rights, in line with the Constitution and global conventions.
It strengthens laws on abuse, exploitation and neglect, while also reinforcing alternative care systems such as foster and kinship care.
Friday’s opening of the Junior Parliament of Zimbabwe marks not only a ceremonial occasion, but also a democratic innovation that has stood the test of time.
Under the Second Republic, the platform has been re-energised and now receives formal feedback from Government ministries, making it a genuine space for youth participation in governance.
In his past addresses, President Mnangagwa has repeatedly emphasised that “a nation that ignores the voice of its children ignores its own future”.
This year’s session is expected to reflect the ongoing commitment to inclusive policy-making, as young parliamentarians debate issues affecting their peers in education, health, justice and digital inclusion.
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