Government launches Child Justice Week

Government has launched Child Justice Week, with a call for stronger measures to protect children from online exploitation, harmful exposure and other forms of digital abuse.

The week was officially launched in Lusaka on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, by Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, under the theme, “Protecting Children in Digital Spaces: Confronting Online Exploitation, Harmful Exposure and Strengthening Child Justice Responses.”

Dr. Habeenzu said while digital technology has created opportunities for children to learn, communicate and develop skills, increased connectivity has also exposed them to risks such as online grooming, sexual exploitation, cyberbullying and financial sexual extortion.

He said Government has adopted the National Child Online Protection Strategy 2025–2029 and strengthened the legal framework through the Data Protection Act No. 3 of 2021 and the Children’s Code No. 12 of 2022.

Dr. Habeenzu stressed that Government, parents, schools, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders must work together to ensure children are safe online and that cases of abuse are reported and addressed promptly.

Meanwhile, UNICEF and ZICTA have called for stronger collaboration in protecting children online. ZICTA has also urged parents to take a keen interest in their children’s online activities and ensure children are involved in shaping solutions that affect their safety and rights in the digital space.