02/12/2025
Enhanced support is crucial in supporting child protection across communities.
Enhanced participation in child protection across communities has been highlighted as crucial for the impact of such services. These remarks were shared by various speakers who were part of the Road Show organised by the Bulilima District Department of Social Development held in Dombodema on the 25th of November 2025, aimed at enhancing child protection and reducing or ending violence against children.
The road show which was held at Dombodema Business Center drew an eager crowd of learners from Dombodema High School and community members in an effort to enhance child protection across the district.
A child rights awareness roadshow brought together key government departments and the Dombodema community to emphasize the vital role of parents and guardians in upholding the rights and welfare of children. Held at Dombodema High School, the event was attended by learners, parents, community, and school based child protection committees and community leaders to engage in enhancing child protection.
The Department of Social Development highlighted the various child protection services available through Community Child Workers (CCWs) at village level working with children at grassroots level, including support for orphaned and vulnerable children, assistance with birth registration, education assistance and referral mechanisms for cases of abuse. They also touched on AMTO a crucial medical assistance scheme offered to vulnerable communities aiding their access to healthcare.
Mr Withus Mpofu who spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Medium and Small enterprises Development stressed the importance of discouraging an unbecoming behaviour of old men sleeping with young girls, a trend which has been linked to a rise in new HIV infections and carries dier consequences for the young girls. He went on to lament on the high HIV prevalence and teen pregnancies rates in Bulilima District which he quoted from a baseline survey carried out in 2018 and has been consistently ranking high ever since, calling on young children to abstain from all sexual activities and remain focused on their academics. He also warned adults against preying on young girls for sexual activities, calling these behaviours detrimental to young futures, and that the long arm of the law will catch up with them." I warn you older men to stop engaging in sexual relations with children some of whom are age mates with your daughters, the law will deal with you"
Zimbabwe Republic Police Plumtree Victim Friendly Unit educated learners and elders on issues such as child abuse and how the VFU handles such cases in a safe space for the victims. Emphasis was also placed on the dual importance of parents and the community in raising an ideal child, which must be centred on letting children know both their rights and responsibilities and also moderate child disciplining practices. Lastly, the representative talked about the legal consequences of juvenile crime, saying no one is spared from jail time when they break the law. The ZRP emphasized the need for strong parent-child communication and community policing partnerships to keep children safe.
Representatives from The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Development and Vocational training, Mr N.Muswela as well as the Ministry of Sports Arts and Culture, Mr Mhlanga shared similar sentiments on improved youth empowerment initiatives meant to draw young people from delinquent behaviour to nation building through enrollment in Vocational training centers as well as. In addition, an unbecoming issue of illegal sports tournaments was raised, where cases of sexual exploitation and drug use are rife. The Ministry of Sports urged all sports tournament organisers to register with their ministry and also get clearance from law enforcement.
Some community members who spoke after the road show, including Tate Nleya who at the road show on behalf of traditional leadership said the campaign was welcome with some eye opening information but however raised some concerns, "while we they appreciate the campaign, there is a worrying trend of parents being tormented by their own children most of whom will be intoxicated, we need help in also addressing such."
The road show was part of a week long campaign which ran across Bulilima District and was taken to areas like Malalume, Dombodema, Bezu and Nyabane organised by the Department of Social Development funded by the Child Protection Fund under UNICEF.
