Children

43 | Rights of children

Law Society of Zimbabwe: Model Constitution of Zimbabwe (2010)

Every child, that is to say every person under the age of eighteen years, is entitled—
1. to equal treatment before the law, including the right to be heard;
2. to be given a name, family name, immediate birth registration and the right to a nationality;
3. to family or parental care, or to appropriate alternative care when removed from the family environment;
4. to be protected from economic and sexual exploitation, from child labour, and from maltreatment, neglect, abuse and degradation;
5. to education, health care services, basic nutrition and shelter; and
6. not to be detained except as a measure of last resort and, if detained—
  1. to be detained for the shortest appropriate period;
  2. to be kept separately from detained persons over the age of eighteen years; and
  3. to be treated in a manner, and kept in conditions, that take account of the child’s age.
A child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.

22 | Children

Kariba Draft Constitution

The State must adopt reasonable policies and measures, within the resources available to it, to ensure that children–
1. have a nationality from birth;
2. enjoy family or parental care, or appropriate alternative care when removed from the family environment;
3. receive shelter and basic nutrition, health care and social services; and
4. are protected from maltreatment, neglect, violence, abuse, exploitation, corruption or degradation.
The State must take appropriate legislative and other measures to–
1. protect children from exploitative labour practices; and
2. ensure that children are not required or permitted to perform work or provide services that-
  1. are inappropriate for the children's age; or
  2. place at risk the children's well-being, education, physical or mental health or spiritual, moral or social development.

National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) Draft Constitution (2001)

Every child is entitled to-

1. equal treatment before the law, including the right to be heard;
2. be given a name, a family name, immediate birth registration and the right to a nationality;
3. know, and to be raised by, their parents;
4. be protected from economic exploitation, from child labour, and from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation;
5. education, health care services, basic nutrition and shelter.