Online Reporter
Harare Bureau
CABINET has approved the ratification of the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of inter-country adoption.
The Convention, adopted on May 29, 1993, in The Hague, The Netherlands, seeks to create a collaborative framework for countries to prevent the abduction, sale, or trafficking of children.
It acknowledges inter-country adoption as a viable solution for providing permanent homes to children, who cannot find suitable families in their countries of origin.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said ratifying the convention will not only solidify Zimbabwe’s dedication to international child protection standards but also foster collaboration with the global community in addressing challenges faced by vulnerable children.
“Cabinet approved that the Parliament of Zimbabwe should ratify the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Inter-Country Adoption, which was adopted on May 29, 1993 in The Hague, The
Netherlands,” said Dr Muswere.
“The Convention focuses on the need for countries to work together to prevent the abduction, sale, or trafficking of children, and recognises inter-country adoption as a means of offering the advantage of a permanent home to a child when a suitable family has not been found in the child’s country of origin.
“The ratification will further entrench Zimbabwe’s collaboration with the rest of the international community in the domain of child protection.”
In a related development, Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Biological Agency of Russia and Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care.
This agreement seeks to enhance co-operation in healthcare and medical science, focusing on equitable and mutually beneficial initiatives.
The MoU aims to promote the education and advanced training of healthcare professionals, with specific activities planned around the prevention and treatment of childhood and infectious diseases.
“Cabinet approved the above-stated Memorandum of Understanding, which seeks to encourage and promote equitable and mutually beneficial co-operation between the parties in healthcare and medical science,” said Dr Muswere.
“The parties shall develop co-operation in education and advanced training of healthcare professionals through activities such as organisation of courses in prevention and treatment of childhood diseases, medical research, and prevention of infectious diseases, including through preventive vaccination.”
