Country profile ZWE
Context
Context
| Year | Age group | Proportion | Gender | Indicator | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5-17 | 31.8 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 19 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 25.6 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 33.1 | Male | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 22.4 | Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
| 2019 | 5-17 | 27.9 | Male & Female | Proportion of children engaged in economic activity and household chores, by sex and age (%) | Source |
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2016-12-31 | C182 | Children's Act - Section 8. (2) | [{"link_name":"Children's Act","source_link":"https://zimlii.org/akn/zw/act/1971/22/eng@2016-12-31#:~:text=AN%20ACT%20to%20provide%20for,and%20juveniles%20and%20for%20the"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legalised. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Section 8. (2) of the Act punishes "any person who causes or conduces to the seduction, abduction or prostitution of a child or young person or the commission by a child or young person of immoral acts shall be guilty of an offence.". |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 2016-12-31; 1985-01-01 ; 1969-09-01 | C182 | Children's Act - Section 78. (1) | [{"link_name":"-Children's Act","source_link":"https://zimlii.org/akn/zw/act/1971/22/eng@2016-12-31#:~:text=AN%20ACT%20to%20provide%20for,and%20juveniles%20and%20for%20the"},{"link_name":"-Liquor Act [Chapter 14:12]","source_link":"https://gain.fas.usda.gov/Download.aspx?p=1449&q=5136d94d-d7e7-41bc-aead-caf441583381"},{"link_name":"-Drugs and Allied Substances Control Act [Chapter 15:03]","source_link":"https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/zim24977.pdf"}] | Yes | 11 | C182 prohibits the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs. | Section 78. (1) of the Act provides that "no person shall sell, lend, give, supply, deliver or offer so to do to any child any liquor as defined in the Liquor Act [Chapter 14:12] tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, cigarette papers or specified drugs as defined in the Drugs and Allied Substances Control Act [Chapter 15:03]". |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 2016-12-31 | C182 | National Service Act - Section 9. (1) (a) (i) | [{"link_name":"National Service Act","source_link":"https://zimlii.org/akn/zw/act/1979/19/eng@2016-12-31#part_III__sec_10"}] | Yes | 9 | C182 defines forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict as a worst form of child labour. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Section 9. (1) (a) (i) of the Act provides for the minimum age of 18 years to be liable to undergo "Phase I Service" which is defined as "a continuous period not exceeding twelve months or such lesser period as may be prescribed and shall consist of such training and service as the Commander may determine and the Commander may fix different courses for different classes of persons.". |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2016-12-31 | C182 | Trafficking in Persons Act - Section 3. (1) ; Section 3. (2) and Section 3. (3) (a) | [{"link_name":"Trafficking in Persons Act","source_link":"https://zimlii.org/akn/zw/act/2014/4/eng@2016-12-31"}] | Yes | 8 | C182 defines all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour as worst forms of child labour. | Section 3. (1) and Section 3.(2) prohibit the trafficking of persons. Section 3. (3) (a) considers this offence to be committed in aggravating circumstances if the trafficked person is a child. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | N/A | C138 & C182 | N/A | [{"link_name":"CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4401545,103183:NO"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | In an Observation published in 2025, the CEACR notes "the Government’s indication that, in February 2022, it issued a directive to all National Employment Councils (NECs) to develop lists of hazardous types of work to be prohibited for any person below the age of 18 within the respective NECs. It notes with interest that so far, four Statutory Instruments (SIs) have been adopted (SIs Nos 147, 148, 200 and 202 for the Tobacco Sector (Manufacturing), Tobacco Sector (Miscellaneous), Engineering, Iron and Steel Industry and Air Transport Sector respectively). The Committee notes that these SIs: (1) prohibit the employment (and apprenticeships) of children under 16 years in any undertakings in the industries concerned; and (2) prohibits the employment (and apprenticeships) of children under 18 years in a detailed list of hazardous activities in these industries. The Government adds that ten further SIs are awaiting adoption and internal consultations are ongoing with other NECs on the development of their respective hazardous work lists.". |
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 1985-12-15 | C138 & C182 | Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] - Section 11 (4) | [{"link_name":"Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]","source_link":"https://necagriculture.co.zw/The%20Labour%20Act.pdf"}] | 18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | Section 11 (4) of the Act stipulates that "No employer shall cause any person under the age of eighteen years to perform any work which is likely to jeopardise that person’s health, safety or morals, which work shall include but not be limited to work involving such activities as may be prescribed.". |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 1985-12-15 | C138 | Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] - Section 11 (1) (a) ; Manpower Planning and Development Act [Chapter 28:02] - Section 34. (1) | [{"link_name":"-Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]","source_link":"https://necagriculture.co.zw/The%20Labour%20Act.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Manpower Planning and Development Act [Chapter 28:02]","source_link":"https://zimlii.org/akn/zw/act/1994/24/eng@2016-12-31/source.pdf"}] | 16 | 5 | C138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. | Section 11 (1) (a) of the Act provides that no employer shall employ any person in any occupation as an apprentice who is under the age of 16 years. In addition, Section 34. (1) of the Manpower Planning and Development Act [Chapter 28:02] states that any person who wishes to become an apprentice in a designated trade and who is 16 years of age or older and subject to subsection (9) of section 9 of the Citizenship of Zimbabwe Act, [Chapter 4:01], a citizen of Zimbabwe may apply to the Secretary, in the prescribed form and manner, for registration as a candidate for apprenticeship. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | N/A | C138 | N/A | [{"link_name":"CEACR Observation","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO::P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_LANG_CODE:4401542,en:NO"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | In an Observation published in 2025, the CEACR notes that "the Education Act was amended in 2019 to: (1) introduce the concept of “basic education”, defined as going “from early childhood education up to the fourth form” (section 2); and (2) provide that “every child shall be entitled to compulsory basic state-funded education” (section 5(1)). The Committee further notes the Government’s indication that “the age of completion of compulsory schooling (fourth form) is normally 16 years”. It therefore notes with satisfaction that the age of compulsory schooling has been amended to coincide with the minimum working age, in accordance with Article 2(3) of the Convention." |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 1997-03-14 | C138 | Labour Relations (Employment of Children and Young Persons) Regulations, 1997 - Section 3. (4) | [{"link_name":"Labour Relations (Employment of Children and Young Persons) Regulations","source_link":"https://www.zctu.co.zw/sites/default/files/publication_downloads/Labour%20Act.pdf"}] | N/A | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Section 3. (4) of the Regulations states that light work may be performed where such work "(a) is an integral part of a course of education or training for which the school or training institution is primarily responsible; and (b) does not prejudice such child’s education, health, safety, social or mental development". The text does not provide with the concrete circumstances or precise hours under which light work may be carried out. |
| Minimum age for light work | 1997-03-14 | C138 | Labour Relations (Employment of Children and Young Persons) Regulations, 1997 - Section 3. (4) | [{"link_name":"Labour Relations (Employment of Children and Young Persons) Regulations","source_link":"https://www.zctu.co.zw/sites/default/files/publication_downloads/Labour%20Act.pdf"}] | 13 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | In an Observation published in 2021, the CEACR notes that "according to section 3(4) of the Labour Relations Regulations, children over 13 years of age may perform light work where such work is an integral part of a course of education or training and does not prejudice their education, health and safety". |
| Minimum age for admission to work | N/A | C138 | Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] - Section 11. (1) b. | [{"link_name":"Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]","source_link":"https://necagriculture.co.zw/The%20Labour%20Act.pdf"}] | 16 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | Section 11. (1) b. of the Act sets the minimum age for admission to work to 16 years. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 06-JUN-2000 | Source |
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 11-DEC-2000 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The plan aims to prevent and mitigate child abuse; increase access of OVC to basic education and health services; promote access of children to child-friendly justice services; and strengthen family livelihoods. To meet such objectives, it follows some key goals, including : Strengthen existing coordination structures for OVC programmes at national, and subnational levels, by mobilising increased resources and capacity building of staff; Increase the incomes of 250,000 extremely poor households, particularly those with orphans and vulnerable children, to build a healthy and supportive family environment; Increase access of all orphans and vulnerable children and their families to basic education, health and other social services, including primary education support, secondary education and medical support to children ; Increase access of all vulnerable children to effective child protection services, including social welfare and justice services, but in particular providing specialised quality child protection services to child survivors of violence, exploitation and abuse; Increase child participation, where appropriate, in all issues that concern them from community to national level. | [{"link_name":"NAP for OVC","source_link":"https://media.unesco.org/sites/default/files/webform/r2e002/f00eb23e008ec8387528e255fb4cc5cec490b62a.pdf"}] | 2011-2015 | National Action Plan for Orphans and Vulnerable Children - Phase II (NAP for OVC) | Department of Social Services of the Ministry of Labour and Social Services |
| In a Direct Request published in 2025, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) took note of the launch, in July 2023, of the new Trafficking in Persons National Plan of Action for 2023–2028. | [{"link_name":"CEACR Direct Request","source_link":"https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID,P13100_COUNTRY_ID:4401545,103183:NO"}] | 2023–2028 | Trafficking in Persons National Plan of Action | Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage |