Story by Theophilus Chuma
GOVERNMENT has approved a US$2.4 billion National Action Plan aimed at strengthening social protection systems for children and addressing emerging threats such as online violence, poverty and child labour.
The five-year plan was announced during a Post-Cabinet Briefing in Harare on Tuesday by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda.
“The Plan addresses emerging challenges such as child labour, poverty, and online violence, targeting vulneralble groups including orphans and girls who face the risk of child marriage. The Plan aligns with national, regional, and international frameworks including Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Zimbabwe’s legal statutes. The Plan is structured around five pillars, namely, improved access to Inclusive basic social services, ending violence against children, family and capacity strengthenig, elimination of child labour. The plan sets specific outcomes aimed at increasing access to services , reducing harm, empowering families, eradicating child labour and enhancing enforcement,” he said.
The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, among other frameworks.
Meanwhile, Cabinet announced that Zimbabwe will host three major United Nations tourism events at Elephant Hills Resort from April 27 to May 1.
“Cabinet advises that Zimbabwe will host major United Nations Tourism events scheduled to run back to back at the Elephant Hills Resort from April 27 to May 1. The high profile meetings include the 23rd United Nations Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability from 27 to 28 April 2026. The Committee on Tourism and Sustainability Linked Pilot Capacity Building Workshop and the second United Nations Tourism Regional Congress on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Africa,” Dr Soda stated.
The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi said the endorsements are expected to boost tourism growth.
“These endorsements are very crucial for tourism growth. On these events we are expecting over 1500 high profile delegates and these include executives from the industry and financing executives from across the globe.”
Other highlights from the Post-Cabinet Briefing included updates on rural development mechanisms and a benchmarking visit on cancer management to Kenya by a Zimbabwean delegation led by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Vice President Colonel (Rtd) Kembo Mohadi.
