The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs with support from UNICEF has tasked the Danish
Institute for Human Rights working in partnership with Justice for Children Trust to carry out
a “Justice for Children Sector Analysis”. Justice for children means ensuring that all children
who come into contact with the justice system are served and protected by such system
through the application of international and national standards. Children must have redress in
criminal and civil matters using the justice system. The study investigates the justice system
providing a general analysis of the same as well as focusing on juvenile justice, custody,
inheritance and the victim friendly initiative. This report will highlight the methodology and
the findings from the Rusape and Harare field researches.
The specific objectives of the justice for children sector analysis are to:
Undertake an assessment of the situation of children who access the justice system;
Provide a description of the current structure of the system and its regulatory
frameworks;
Undertake an analysis of the capacity of the system to deliver rights-based justice for
children;
Identify opportunities for further strengthening the system; and
Provide recommendations for future action.
2. METHODOLOGY
The analysis included interviews and focus group discussions with government officials
including Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and
Culture, Judicial Services Commission, Legal Aid Directorate and the non governmental
organisations such as Child Line, Simukai, Family Support Trust, ZACRO and ICRC,
members of the community who included children and a traditional leader. One hundred and
thirty six (136) respondents were interviewed from Harare and Rusape interviews. Thirty one
(31) people were interviewed in Rusape while three (3) focus group discussions were held
with a thirty three (33) participants. Thirty three (33) adults were interviewed in Harare.
Twenty six (26) children who have gone through the justice delivery system who are serving
at Hwahwa Young Offenders Prison were interviewed through a focus group discussion and
thirteen (13) children either serving or on remand were also interviewed individually from
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