Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
GOVERNMENT has commended social workers for contributing towards provision of quality social services in the country.
This came out during the commemorations to mark World Social Work Day held in Harare this Tuesday.
As the profession constantly evolves, social workers across the world, Zimbabwe included, are rising to the occasion to improve the well-being of vulnerable groups.
“Nowadays there is a lot of abuse of drugs and substances, rise in child abuse cases by trusted individuals. That alone calls for a change in policy, child protection safeguarding issues and extended family involvement in the care and protection of children.
“We recently had some amendments in terms of the Social Works Act, the Child Bill and as the National Association of Social Workers, we are in the process of reviewing and amending our constitution so there are several changes in terms of policy, programmes and the target group,” president of the National Association of Social Workers Zimbabwe Mr Gift Saladi said.
Social workers believe the withdrawal of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) support has offered a platform for them to creatively work for the betterment of the country.
“The cut of development aid by the United States has not much affected our operations as social workers because our government has put in place policies and modalities to address people’s concerns and it is also preaching the gospel of building the country as citizens.
“This is the time to work for our country, complementing government efforts by bringing solutions and strategies that move the country forward. We can not rely on hand-outs when we can think outside the box. We thank the government for recognising our efforts as social workers,” social worker, Mr Richard Kadyauta said.
The Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable Mercy Dinha, expressed the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of social workers.
“Whether it is providing counselling and rehabilitation services to vulnerable communities, securing social assistance for the homeless, or connecting families in need with vital healthcare and educational resources, our social workers are the unsung heroes who make a tangible difference in the lives of our citizens. As we move towards becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, it is crucial to ensure that we have an effective and efficient social protection system.
“Recent climatic shocks such as the El-Nino-induced drought have tested the resilience of our social protection systems. As we continue with the development trajectory amidst such a challenging context, the demands on our social workers only grow. That is why, on this International Day of Social Workers, I call upon all of us, the government, the private sector, and the general public to come together and show our gratitude and support for the vital work that our social workers do.
“Let us work to ensure they have the resources, the training, and the recognition they need to continue their crucial mission. Let us also recommit ourselves to the values that guide the social work profession, the unwavering commitment to human dignity, social justice, and the empowerment of the most vulnerable. In doing so, we can build a Zimbabwe that truly works for all, where no one is left behind, and where every citizen can thrive,” Honourable Dinha said.
This year’s commemorations are running under the theme: “Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing.”
