Our Story

ZNCWC was established in 1968 in response to the growing number of children who were living in difficult circumstances. ZNCWC is the umbrella body for the child rights sector which coordinates the Child Rights Coalition in Zimbabwe.

OUR VISION

“A coordinated and effective child rights sector demonstrating influence and impact towards realization of child rights.”

Its major thrust is lobbying and advocacy, capacity building of membership, quality assurance on child-oriented initiatives, child participation and research.  

ZNCWC works with organizations that are in the child rights sector and currently our membership stands at over 120 organizations countrywide. 

These organizations are all at different levels with some being international, national, community and faith based amongst others.

Our Mission

“To be the coordinating body of the Child Rights sector in Zimbabwe through advocacy, research and innovative membership driven approaches for effective child development and programming.”

ZNCWC works with organizations that are in the child rights sector and currently our membership stands at over 120 organizations countrywide. These organizations are all at different levels with some being international, national, community and faith based amongst others. Some are emerging others are well established while some are still grappling with issues of registration. The organization seeks to bring into mainstream all the institutions working in the child rights sector for effective collaboration and complementarity.

The organization manages programs in child and youth participation, disability rights advocacy and promotion of education as well as COVID-19 humanitarian projects.

Child Rights Coalition coordination

ZNCWC has a wealth of experience in coordinating the Child Rights Coalition which brings together CSOs in the child rights sector. The idea is informed by the need to strengthen the sector, empower and capacitate members for effective child rights programming and development.

ZNCWC manages 5 regions in the country, namely, Mashonaland, Masvingo, Manicaland, Midlands and Matabeleland covering the whole country where representatives are chosen to be focal point persons of the organization in their respective regions. Members are drawn from a host of thematic areas with the most prominent being on child protection, education, child participation, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), environment and child protection in emergencies, health and HIV, disability and legal. Having an array of members diversified in this manner greatly improves and contributes to the referral pathway system ensuring children get optimum services at any given time.

Advocacy

ZNCWC envisages that CSOS, children and youths are empowered to advocate for their wellbeing in an effort to improve their agency as well. The approaches used include:

  • Supporting self-organized children and youth led groups for child and youth driven advocacy initiatives
  • Linking various Child Rights Coalition members to these groups in the communities they program
  • Dismantling the silo mentality by promoting Junior Assemblies, a composition of organized in and out of school clubs and groups, Junior Councilors and Junior MPs working together towards a common goal of advancing child rights in their respective communities
  • Providing dialogue and engagement platforms for children and CSOs with the Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights

Child and youth participation

ZNCWC works with in and out of school youths in places such as Hopley, Chitungwiza, Kadoma, Raffingora, Katiyo, Chinhoyi, Kwekwe, Silobela and Zhombe to form child and youth led groups. Once the children and youths are self-organized in these groups, ZNCWC  capacity builds them on various aspects including advocacy, gender transformation and participation in budget consultations amongst others. The children and youth are empowered to claim, defend and demand their rights and hold duty bearers to account on the implementation and fulfillment of those rights. On certain technical aspects such as legal and health, experts are invited to interact and engage the child and youth led groups from within the Coalition.

Child Rights our DNA

I see a future where young people become employers. A future where children are fully protected and enjoy their rights. A future where we have adequate social security facilities that cater for everyone, young and old.

A society that values inclusivity of people with disabilities. I also see a future for myself where I become an elder to my community, as an adviser and being valued for the contribution to the community including the church and the country. I also want to see myself as a business person in the social services area. I see myself as a great grandfather.

Rev. Taylor Nyanhete

National Director

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