Online Reporter
Msekiwa Makwanya
Herald Correspondent
AS Zimbabwe marks Social Work Week and celebrated World Social Work Day on March 17, there is renewed attention on the essential role of social workers in strengthening families and communities.
This year’s theme, “Co-building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society,” resonates deeply in a country grappling with economic pressure, social fragmentation and rising family tensions. It captures the spirit of collective responsibility and human dignity that is at the core of social work practice.
Among the many critical areas in which social workers operate, their role within Zimbabwe’s family justice system has become especially prominent.
The rise in marital breakdowns, separations and disputes involving children has placed them at the centre of efforts to protect young people and guide courts toward child centred decisions.
A Family System Under Strain
Zimbabwe has seen a significant increase in divorce and separation cases over the past year, with a substantial number still pending in the courts.
These cases represent more than legal disagreements; they tell the story of emotional upheaval, disrupted homes and children navigating instability. As court caseloads grow heavier, the timely involvement of skilled social workers becomes crucial.
Their expertise helps to ensure that children’s experiences are not overshadowed by the complexity of legal proceedings or the conflict between adults.
The Constitutional Foundation for Child Protection
Zimbabwe’s Constitution provides a strong legal and ethical framework for the protection of children. Section eighty one (81) clearly states that a child’s best interests must guide every decision that concerns them. The High Court, as the upper guardian of all minors, is required to safeguard their safety, identity, emotional well being and development whenever disputes arise.
This responsibility cannot be met by legal argument alone. Social workers provide the human insight and contextual understanding that courts rely on to make sound decisions. Their assessments reveal how children are coping, what support they require and which arrangements are most likely to promote their welfare.
The Unique Expertise Social Workers Bring to Court
Social workers enter family proceedings with professional skills grounded in observation, developmental knowledge and ethical practice.
They study family relationships over time, engage with schools and extended family, and examine how daily routines, emotional bonds and environmental factors affect children.
Their grounding in the values of unhu or ubuntu ensures that assessments incorporate cultural considerations and community relationships, which are vital to understanding a child’s lived reality.
Their work is supported by the Social Workers (Code of Ethics) By laws, which emphasise confidentiality, integrity, competence and accurate record keeping.
These principles give courts confidence in the clarity and impartiality of social work evidence.
Independent Social Workers: A Vital Complement to State Services
Government social workers continue to play a foundational role in child protection. However, State departments face increasing pressure from high caseloads and limited resources. Independent social workers have emerged as essential partners in bridging these gaps.
Their neutrality strengthens their impact. Free from institutional constraints and unaligned with any party in a dispute, independent practitioners provide a balanced lens through which courts can understand complex family dynamics. Their independence allows them to dedicate more time to challenging cases involving allegations of harm, persistent conflict or urgent relocation concerns.
Independent social workers also bring methodological clarity and forensic rigour. When they explain their process, outline the basis of their conclusions and distinguish fact from interpretation, they enhance the transparency and reliability of the evidence before the court.
Strengthening Professional Collaboration in the Justice System
For social work contributions to be effective, courts and legal practitioners must ensure that the experts they engage are properly trained, registered and experienced.
Because custody and guardianship decisions shape the trajectory of children’s lives, the quality of expert input is essential.
The Law Society of Zimbabwe plays an influential role in raising standards by offering guidance, training and model instructions for lawyers who brief social work experts.
When the legal and social work professions collaborate effectively, children benefit from clearer, fairer and more informed decisions.
Child Centred Insight in an Adversarial System
Family disputes often become adversarial, with parents presenting conflicting narratives.
Social workers help ensure that the child’s perspective does not disappear within this conflict.
They present a holistic understanding of a child’s needs, focusing on emotional security, routine, schooling, cultural identity and, when appropriate, the child’s own views.
Their assessments are not merely descriptive. They explain why certain arrangements are more conducive to the child’s development and why others may undermine it. Through their analysis, courts gain a clearer view of what will genuinely support the child’s well being.
Anchoring Hope and Harmony Through Professional Insight
As Zimbabwe faces rising family instability, social workers bring structure, humanity and clarity to moments when families are struggling to cope. Their work ensures that children’s rights remain central, that decisions are rooted in evidence and empathy, and that justice reflects not only the law but compassion.
This Social Work Week, Zimbabwe honours a profession that stands firm at the intersection of family, justice and community. Social workers rebuild harmony where it is fractured, offer guidance where there is confusion and restore hope where it is fading. Their contribution is essential to shaping a resilient and caring society.
Msekiwa Makwanya is an Independent Advanced Social Work Practitioner. He can be contacted via [email protected]
