Child Participation in Times of COVID-19, Zimbabwe Street Connected Childrens Missing Voice

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 has impacted the world and children in unprecedented ways. Child participation is not an exception. Streets connected children are baffled by the virus, wondering whether to wear masks donated to them or inhale glue as before. However, they have felt the impact of the pandemic from lack of income or livelihoods, including leftover food scavenging to the police or military harassment and brutality during day roundups or after curfews. They are left in their dark, fighting for life with challenges to social distance, and no access to the internet or other communication devices to exercise their right to participation. Hence, voice is missing in emergency response planning. This research employed mixed-method research to examine child participation in missing voices in the Zimbabwe COVID-19 national response planning. The government-enforced lockdowns and security agents forced rounds up, resulting in abuses and harassment threats to childrens freedoms and infringing their rights. The study established that due to restricted movements, public spheres were closed, hindering participation from informing government and other stakeholders policies and resource allocation. The research concluded that street-connected children do not live in normal circumstances, and government guidelines are not easy to apply unless someone reaches out to educate them. Despite spending their time in social spaces, they are at high risk of contracting the virus. In addition, participation in emergencies is a priority to reduce violence, abuses, and exploitation. There is a need to look at innovative ICTs and ways for street-connected children to amplify their voices and government case management teams to include child participation in emergency care planning. This research recommends the need for the government to develop emergency care round-up protocols or standard procedures, training security agents and key stakeholders on streets-connected round-up child-friendly strategies that uphold their rights with inherent dignity. Lastly, as part of the national case management structure, it is important to build street-connected children country-level working groups, consortiums, alliances, or movements for organizations working on the ground directly with children regardless of the size and outreach of their approach. Streets-connected children and agencies are well supported in accessing and delivering timely information. The study recommended that the government should fund activities that promote the inclusion of street children in programmes and planning processes that involve them to reduce the risks of being locked up in prison for failing to stay at home.

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