Zimbabwe Children's act alignment with international and domestic legal instruments: unravelling the gaps

Abstract

This paper identifies shortfalls in the Children’s Act (Zimbabwe) which reduce its alignment with the international and domestic legal instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), Child Protection Model Law, Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe National Orphan Care Policy. These gaps relate to definition of a child, child protection committees, corporal punishment, child participation, child labour and pre-trial diversion. The examination of these gaps is informed by child rights fundamental principles: best interest of the child, survival and development, participation and non-discrimination.

KEY TERMS: children’s rights, participation, child protection, harmonisation, legislation, gaps