adminsystem, a number of vulnerable children faced severe challenges in accessing health and education.
Some of the social issues, include rising cases of child sexual abuse, domestic violence and rising numbers of people living and working on the streets.
Minister Shamu said the situation had been worsened by shortage of social workers in the Ministry of Labour and Social Services.
“Zimbabwe lost the majority of its trained and experienced social workers to the developed world. This has had a negative effect on the social protection system in the country.”
Minister Shamu said the Department of Social Services employs less than 100 qualified social workers against a demand of 400 resulting in a 1:49 000 working ratio.
He challenged social workers to do more research and come up with recommendations on how to tackle some of the social problems facing the country.
The International Social Workers day is held every 28th of March but in Zimbabwe the commemorations started last year.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme; “Building social protection systems in Zimbabwe through arts and culture”.
Council of Social Work chairman Mr Lovemore Bohwasi called on social workers to be creative when dealing with their clients.
He said the duty of social workers was to liberate communities from poverty.
Online Reporter