Challenges for child welfare and development during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in multiple shocks on the global terrain with disastrous consequences and children have not been spared. Restrictions associated with the mitigation of the pandemic have collapsed critical services associated with child development and gains that had been made in strengthening these services have been shamed. The development of children has been threatened as the pandemic and associated mitigation measures have led to, inter alia, the closure of schools, bereavement and reduction in family income. These have exposed children to several threats despite children not being the face of the pandemic. This conceptual article, as such, examines the impact of COVID-19 on child welfare and development in Zimbabwe against the issues associated with COVID-19 and its mitigation measures. In turn, the authors proffer policy and programmatic alternatives that can be useful in creating a conducive environment for continued child development during the COVID-19 pandemic and other future disruptions