Exploring Child Participation in Zimbabwe's Reunification and Reintegration Process

There has been limited research and critique on the mainstreaming of the principle of child participation in reunification and reintegration of institutionalised children in Zimbabwe. The paper relies on qualitative data collected from 19 children and 16 social workers who were interviewed in 11 selected districts. The data was collected in May-July 2015 through in-depth interviews. A robust literature review was done as part of the study. The paper documents the views of children on their participation during reunification and reintegration. The views of the social worker on child participation and the impediments they face as they try to uphold the principle of participation. It would be argued that mainstreaming child participation in reunification and reintegration is an integral part of the child protection system of Zimbabwe.