Abstract
With high incidences of poverty and a depressed economy as well
as limited political will, it will be difficult to guarantee the socioeconomic
rights of children in Zimbabwe. Children struggle to get
access to basic services such as health care, basic education, clean
water and proper sanitation. This study critically reviews the implementation
or lack thereof, of the key socio-economic rights as
enunciated in the constitution and child-sensitive policies in
Zimbabwe. Through document analysis, the study offers
a nuanced examination of social policy implementation in the
country. This paper advances the argument that poverty and
inequality in Zimbabwe have worsened the lives of children who
are subjected to inadequate food, lack access to proper heath
facilities and proper shelter among other social amenities. Using
a human security framework, the paper foregrounds the need for
deliberate policies which respond to the needs of the underprivileged
children. The paper concludes that a multifaceted and multistakeholder
approach will ensure that no child is left behind as
envisioned by the agenda of the sustainable development goals. It
recommends that the government should implement various policies
which guarantee the protection of children in need.