Role of Social Cash Transfers Among Children in Child-Headed Households: A Case of Jacha Area of Epworth in Harare, Zimbabwe, in the Face of Austerity Era

Abstract Cash transfers are some of the social protection systems for reducing risks and vulnerabilities among children in child-headed families. There are limited academic studies that interrogate the role of social cash transfers among children in child-headed households (CHHs) in the Jacha area of Epworth, Harare, Zimbabwe, in the face of austerity era. A qualitative case study design was adopted to have an in-depth and detailed understanding of the lives of children in CHHs. The resilience theory was used to understand and analyse the realities of these children. Research findings suggest that social cash transfer programmes are very crucial in upholding the human rights of the children in child-headed households of the Jacha area in Epworth, Harare. As a result of social cash transfer programmes, some children in child-headed households enhanced their resilience in many ways. Some of them were rescued from the incidences of abuse, violence, and exploitation through cash transfers. The children in child-headed households were able to meet their basic needs such as food, education, health, clothes, having time for playing, and peer interactions. The article concludes by lobbying and advocating for more social protection programmes towards children in child-headed households in urban informal settlements of Epworth, Harare, Zimbabwe.