At No More Tears Zimbabwe, we believe every child has the right to grow up in a safe, loving, and protective environment. Our Child Protection thematic area focuses on preventing abuse, exploitation, neglect, and harmful traditional practices affecting vulnerable children—particularly in rural communities where protective systems are weak or absent.

Our work in child protection begins with community-level awareness and sensitization, challenging cultural norms that normalize child marriage, forced labor, and corporal punishment. We work closely with traditional leaders, schools, and caregivers to foster child-friendly spaces and attitudes, while equipping communities to recognize and report abuse.

We prioritize support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), many of whom live in child-headed households or with overstretched extended families. Our interventions include:

• Psychosocial support

• Mentorship programs

• Access to legal identity documents (e.g., birth certificates)

• Case referrals to statutory social welfare services

A cornerstone of our approach is the establishment of community-based child protection committees, trained to identify risk cases, coordinate with service providers, and offer basic support. We also plan to pilot safe spaces and alternative care models for children living in exploitative or abusive conditions.

Our programming aligns with the Zimbabwe National Case Management System, and all activities are grounded in the principles of children’s rights, survivor-centred response, and do-no-harm ethics.

Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that no child grows up invisible, unsafe, or unheard.