Story by Lisa Masuku-Kurira
DIGITAL hygiene education emerged as a key focus at the ongoing National Child Protection Conference in Bulawayo, with stakeholders calling for stronger measures to equip children with skills to stay safe online.
Delegates said the growing digital environment has exposed children to increasing risks, making online safety a critical component of child protection.
The conference emphasised the need to empower children to navigate the internet responsibly while strengthening safeguards against online exploitation, cyberbullying and other digital threats.
Director of the Child Rights Research Centre, Commissioner Dr Tendai Nhenga said digital hygiene should become an integral part of school learning.
“Digital hygiene is no longer an afterthought because our kids spend most of their time online. To address online child safety, schools have to incorporate digital hygiene into their ICT curriculum,” he said.
Acting Director for Disability Affairs in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Ms Laizah Chourombo said Government is committed to ensuring children with disabilities are not excluded from online and physical safety initiatives.
“As the Government, we are committed to ensuring every child and those with disabilities are not left behind in issues to do with safety,” she said.
Registrar General Henry Machiri said birth registration remains central to child protection.
“When every child is registered, we protect their identity and their rights. That’s the very foundation of child safety,” he said.
Local authorities also reaffirmed their role in child protection through community programmes and child safety homes.
“Our role as Urban Councils is to support child safety through the child safety homes that we have. At the moment, we are working hand in hand with the First Lady; she is providing groceries and other basics needed for children housed in our child safety homes,” Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe representative Mr Livison Mutekede said.
The four-day National Child Protection Conference is being held under the theme: “Strengthening Zimbabwe’s Child Protection Systems and Sustainable Investment for the Implementation of the National Action Plan for Children IV (2026-2030).”
