NEW: Government in child registration campaign to improve inclusion

Theseus Shambare

THE Government, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), has initiated a nationwide child registration campaign to ensure that more minors are included in child protection programmes.

The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is spearheading the effort, which includes mobile registration and community-based programmes to help families acquire birth certificates for their children.

According to the implementing partner, the Zimbabwe Parents of the Handicapped Children Association’s programmes coordinator, Mr Regis Manjoro, significant progress has been made so far.

“Over the past 12 months, we have reached more than 800 children in Beitbridge and 800 in Mutasa, providing them with access to various services,” he said.

Mutasa district has been identified as a hotspot for undocumented children.

Local leaders, such as Headman Sanyamandwe, Mr George Chidawanyika, have praised the programme and highlighted the critical role of birth certificates in enabling children to access essential services.

“Lack of birth certificates not only denies children access to education and healthcare but also hinders their social and economic inclusion, which is crucial for national development.”

The absence of birth certificates also poses challenges for tracking key development indicators, such as child mortality, school enrolment and poverty reduction.