A community’s fight against vulnerability to child labour and trafficking through awareness and action
Kudakwashe Dube, Hillary Mugota and Joshua Machinga
With a mission that extends beyond environmental concerns, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) focuses on protecting community rights, especially for the most vulnerable members of society, including children. With support from European Union and in partnership with Government of Zimbabwe, Save the Children, Coalition Against Child Labour in Zimbabwe (CACLAZ) and Zimbabwe National Council for Welfare of Children (ZNCWC), ZELA recently launched a project in Mudzi District, Mashonaland East Province titled Fighting Child Labour and Child Trafficking aimed at addressing child rights violations within mining communities. The project specifically targets vulnerabilities faced by children in the mining and agricultural sectors as these hazardous conditions often deprive children of their right to education and expose them to severe exploitation and abuse.
Like many parts of Zimbabwe and Africa, the extraction of natural resource wealth in Mudzi has led to significant challenges that affect communities with children being the most affected as child rights are compromised. With limited access to quality education and an economy heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture and mining and its proximity to the border, the district is particularly vulnerable to child rights violations such as child labour and trafficking. These socio-economic factors put children at risk of being exploited in dangerous working conditions in physically demanding roles and this threatens not only their health but also their futures as they are denied the opportunity to gain an education and fulfil their potential.
The Government of Zimbabwe has made commendable efforts to combat these challenges through enacting and adopting various legislative frameworks and policy reforms. Notably, the Constitution of Zimbabwe under Section 19 provides a foundation for the protection of children’s rights, including the right to education and protection from exploitation. The Labour Act (Chapter 28:01) specifically prohibits child labour, establishing the minimum age for employment and setting clear guidelines for the types of work children are prohibited from performing. Additionally, the Children’s Act (Chapter 5:06) offers protection to children, outlining their rights and setting the legal framework for preventing child labour and abuse.
Furthermore, Zimbabwe is a signatory to several regional and international conventions aimed at protecting children, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. These global commitments reinforce Zimbabwe’s national legislative efforts to safeguard children from exploitation and ensure their right to a safe, healthy childhood.
To tackle the issue of children’s vulnerability to child labour and child trafficking, on the 29th of January to the 1st of February 2025, ZELA with support from Save the Children conducted community and multimedia awareness campaigns in Wards 2, 4, and 16 of Mudzi.
“In partnership with Budja FM, a local radio station, and with the support of the Mudzi Rural District Council, we organized vibrant roadshows to educate community members on the importance of child rights and the elimination of child labour. The roadshows were an engaging and interactive experience, featuring lively dancing and entertainment by both children and community members. This helped make the message of the campaign more relatable and enjoyable, with participants actively involved in the activities,” said Hillary Mugota, ZELA legal officer.
The campaigns were also an opportunity for community members to win prizes, further encouraging participation and creating a fun, positive atmosphere. This mix of education and entertainment ensured a strong community response.
During the campaign, Mugota emphasised the importance of educating children about their rights. She also discussed the various reporting channels available to address child protection concerns. “It’s vital that children are aware of their rights and can identify potential abuses,” she said. “Knowing where and how to report these issues is a crucial step in ensuring their protection.By addressing the root causes of child labour and trafficking such as poverty and lack of education, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association in partnership with Save the Children, The Coalition Against Child Labour in Zimbabwe (CACLAZ) and the Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children (ZNCWC) and multiple other stakeholders at district and national level we hope to create a safer and more supportive environment for children in Zimbabwe,” explained Mugota.
Shinga Primary School headmaster, Norman Tomiseni, also expressed gratitude for the initiative. He highlighted the challenge of poor infrastructure, particularly the lack of proper bridges, which often prevents children from attending school regularly, increasing their vulnerability to child labour. “Ongoing engagement and support are necessary to effectively address these issues,” he stated.
While the awareness campaign laid a solid foundation for further advocacy, it also revealed a lot of work that still needs work to be done. ZELA remains dedicated to the fight against children’s vulnerability to child rights violations in Mudzi, particularly within the mining and agricultural sectors. The road ahead requires persistent efforts, ongoing community engagement, and strengthened policy enforcement to ensure that every child enjoys the right to a safe, healthy, and empowered life.
By working hand in hand with the government, local communities, and other stakeholders, ZELA believes that Zimbabwe can move closer to a future where vulnerability to child labour is eradicated, and every child has the opportunity to thrive.
