Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare Minister, Priscah Mupfumira says her ministry is pushing government to employ more social workers in view of an increase in the need for their services due to various vulnerabilities exacerbated by poverty and natural disasters in the country.
Addressing a press conference in Harare on Monday ahead of the International Social Workers Day to be held on the 31st of March, Minister Mupfumira said there are more than 600 unemployed social workers who can be utilized to ease the workloads and ameliorate problems being faced in communities.
“Considering the increase in demand for social welfare services in Zimbabwe due to vulnerability which has been exacerbated by poverty and natural disasters, my ministry is advocating for more social workers to be employed by government to ease the high caseloads and improve people’s lives.
“My Ministry is cognizant of the fact that there are more than 600 unemployed social workers in the country whose skills can be utilized to ameliorate problems being faced countrywide,” said Mupfumira.
She expressed appreciation for the leading role of social workers in responding to the climate change induced drought and floods among other disaster situations facing the country.
“Social workers have been crucial in transforming the lives of affected communities through the provision of child protection services, counselling affected families, advocating for the rights of people, livelihoods, training and awareness raising on social protection of vulnerable groups,” added Minister Mupfumira.
She expressed concern over the increase in murder cases and rape of children and girls urging social workers to not to remain silent in light of these social challenges saying they should endeavor to make society safe for all.
The International Social Workers Day is being held under the theme: ‘Promoting Communities and Environmental Sustainability.
President of the National Association of Social Workers in Zimbabwe (NASWZ) Dennis Dzikiti said social workers and other professionals can play a huge role in promoting environmental sustainability.
“Many social workers work with grass root communities and an awareness role played by social workers will go a long way towards preserving and protecting the environment. Social workers in most circumstances form part of the development team,” said Dzikiti.
He said the organisation has prepared a symposium in partnership with Bindura University of Science Education to generate knowledge in the area of environment.
Dzikiti added that as a profession with a long focus on helping persons in their environment, social work is expected to play a leading role in interdisciplinary efforts to fight environmental threats to the social well-being of communities.
He said there is need to craft strategies to ensure social workers take part in attaining sustainable environmental management and that his organisation would want to see the environment agencies and local authorities employing social workers to teach on the role of social workers.
