Know the laws that protect children in Zimbabwe and use them
LAWS THAT PROCTECT CHILDREN
If you are
under 18 years old, you are considered a child. Children are special members of
our community so they are protected by a number of special laws. In order for
these laws to work properly, it is important that children understand what
these laws say. Below is a list of the most important laws that exist to
protect children.
THE CHILDREN’S ACT
When can these laws protect me?
♣
If you are not being taken care of by your parents
/guardians or have no one to look after you.
What does this law say?
♣
This law says that children have a legal right to
food, shelter, clothing, medical care and supervision.
♣
The Children’s Act says that if you are not being
taken care of by your parents(i.e. you being physically ,emotionally abused, living on the street or orphaned), the
government’s Department of Social Welfare Services can arrange for you to be
taken away from your parents/guardians to someone else who will look after you
better.
How can I use this Law?
♣
If you or someone you know is not being properly
taken care of by their family approach the police or your school headmaster. Tell them you would like
the Department of Social Welfare Services to visit your home or your child’s
home to see if they can help.
THE MAINTENANCE ACT
When can law help protect me?
♣
If one or both parents(it docs not matter if your
parents are married or divorced or living with you) has the money or resources
to pay for your basic needs (ie school, food, shelter, ) and they are not doing
so, they are liable to maintain you.
What does this law
say?
♣
This law says that parents must provide for their
children’s financial needs including food, school fees, clothing, etc if one or
both of your parents are not providing for your basic needs, the court can
order them to do so.
How can I use this law?
♣
You can go to the police or call Justice for
Children at 04-797723. Explain that your parent(s) are not providing for your
basic needs
THE BIRTH AND DEATH REGISTRATION
When can this law help protect me?
♣
If you do not have a birth certificate. “A birth
certificate provides a record of a person’s birth, identity and age. It is very
important to have a birth certificate so that , you can enrol for school, write
important examinations or apply for a National identity card, driver’s license,
passport etc.
What does this law say?
♣
This law says that all children have the right to
a birth certificate.
♣
Only an adult can get you a birth certificate. So
if your parents have died, you can ask an adult relative to obtain the birth
Certificate for you.
How Can I use this law?
♣
If you don’t have a birth certificate, ask your
parents, relatives, school headmaster or the police for help in getting you a
birth certificate. Tell them that you have a legal right to a birth certificate
in terms of the Birth and Death Registration Act.
THE EDUCATION ACT
When can this law help protect me
♣
If your parents/ guardians are refusing to send
you to primary school.
What does this law say?
♣
Parents are required by this law to make sure that
their children attain basic primary education.
How can I use this law?
♣
Tell your parents that you are required by law to
go to school. If they will not help you, visit the nearest school or police
station and tell them about your situation.
Deceased person’s family Maintenance act
When does this law say?
♣
No one has the right to remove a child /family
from the house left to them by their parents. They are allowed to continue
using the house and all of their parents’ household property which they were
using at the time of their parents death.
♣
Orphaned children have the greatest right to inherit their parents’ property. No uncle,
aunt, grandparents can claim a better right to their parents property. Any person
who wants to try to claim property from orphans must bring their case to court.
How can I use this Law
♣
If one or both of your parents have died and
someone (including another relative) is threatening to force you out of your
parents home or take some of your property away from you, you should
immediately contact the police* if possible, children should encourage their
parents to write wills and leave them with someone responsible (i.e. lawyer,
priest, bank, register it at the High court) so that they can make sure their
property will go to their children.
The guardianship of minors Act
When can this law help me?
♣
If someone is trying to take you away from living
with your parents.
What does this law say?
♣
If one of your parents is still alive no one else
can take you away from your parents, unless the court decides that it is in
your best interest.
How can I use this law?
♣
Tell the person who wants you to live with them
that you have a legal right to stay with your parents. If this does not work,
notify the police.
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT
Please take note that
this is still a Bill
How the Bill is going
to protect everyone in the home
♣
Women ,girls ,boys and men will be protected
against any form of abuse which includes the following-
♣
Physical abuse;
♣
Sexual abuse;
♣
Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse;
♣
Intimidation;
♣
Harassment;
♣
Stalking;
♣
Economic abuse
CONTACT
DETAILS
The
Girl Child Network
Head
Office
Website: www.gcn.org.zw
Zengeza
Girls Empowerment Centre
Stand No 16352, Zengeza 4, Chitungwia
Hwange
(
592 Empumalanga, Hwange
Cellphone
:
Telephone (081)30311
Rusape
P.O
Phone 077288251
Comments
Not so many people know about the Zim children's, most of the times the relatives are the ones who end up with most of the deceased's property and the children are left with nothing. If its in the urban area the children will be sent to the rural areas while the relative and his/her family take over.
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