Zain Group has once again solidified its position as a regional leader in prioritizing the well-being of children, earning the top spot in the Global Child Forum’s ‘The State of Children’s Rights and Business 2025’ Benchmark for the third year running. This achievement, announced coinciding with World Children’s Day on November 20th, underscores the telecom giant’s unwavering commitment to children’s rights and responsible business practices across its operations in the Middle East and Africa. The upgraded ranking, moving from 8.4/10 to 8.5, highlights a sustained and growing dedication to embedding these principles into every facet of the company.
Zain Group Leads the Way in Corporate Responsibility for Children
Founded in 2009 by the Swedish Royal Family, the Global Child Forum is a highly respected organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights within the business world. Their benchmark, developed in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, assesses companies across nine sectors based on 25 indicators, utilizing publicly available data to evaluate their implementation of children’s rights and sustainability governance. Zain’s success in this rigorous evaluation demonstrates a genuine and impactful approach, significantly outpacing regional competitors.
From a pool of 1,806 global companies, Zain not only topped the regional rankings but also exceeded sectoral, industry, and overall company averages, more than doubling the scores of many other regional corporations in key areas related to child welfare. The telecom sector averaged 6.5/10, while the regional average stood at a mere 3.4, and the overall average across all companies was 5.
A Holistic Approach to Protecting Young People
Zain’s leadership isn’t simply about policy statements; it’s about concrete action and demonstrable results. The company has developed and implemented comprehensive policies and practices that address its impact on children’s rights across a broad spectrum of areas. This includes a strong focus on online safety, recognizing that one in three internet users globally are children – a number that is rapidly increasing with expanding broadband access.
Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Group Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasized this point, stating that addressing UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.2 – ending all forms of violence against children by 2030 – is a core priority for Zain. This commitment is reflected in structured policies, strategic partnerships, and a dedication to creating lasting positive impact.
Governance and Ethical Practices
Zain’s perfect score of 10/10 in the Governance & Collaboration category speaks volumes about its top-down commitment to safeguarding child protection. This is evidenced by robust governance structures, strong board accountability, effective grievance mechanisms, and proactive collaboration with NGOs. The company also demonstrates exemplary practices in areas like:
- Standards & Frameworks
- Board Accountability
- Grievance Mechanisms
- Minimum age of Employment
- Decent Working Conditions & Family-friendly Policies
- Materiality Assessment
- Supplier Assessment and Actions against Child Labor
Championing Child Safety in the Digital World & Beyond
Zain actively collaborates with leading NGOs, such as Child Helpline International (CHI), through a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen child helplines across its operating markets. Furthermore, the company provides accessible channels for stakeholders to raise human rights concerns, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
Beyond digital safety, Zain prioritizes ethical labor practices and supply chain integrity. The company strictly prohibits child labor, requiring all suppliers to adhere to the ILO Minimum Age Convention (1973) and local laws. Regular supplier self-assessments, due diligence checks, and physical audits ensure compliance and mitigate potential risks. Employees are empowered to report concerns through various channels, including a dedicated Whistleblower Policy.
Progressive Workplace Policies for Families
Recognizing the importance of parental presence in a child’s early development, Zain offers one of the most progressive parental policies in the region. This includes four months of maternity leave, followed by flexible working hours until the child reaches four years old. New mothers can also request an additional two-month remote “baby-bonding period,” and fathers are granted five days of paid paternity leave. These policies demonstrate a genuine commitment to supporting employees and their families.
Responsible Marketing and Data Privacy
Zain’s commitment extends to its marketing and communications, guided by a Responsible Marketing and Communications Standard. The company ensures transparent and accurate messaging, avoiding misleading or manipulative content, and adhering to ethical advertising practices aligned with UNICEF’s MO-CRIA framework. Crucially, Zain’s Data Protection Policy explicitly states its commitment to not deliberately processing the personal data of children under the legal age without guardian consent, reinforcing its dedication to data privacy and online safety.
Ekin Bjorstedt, Secretary General of Global Child Forum, commended Zain, stating that the company “demonstrates that leadership on children’s rights is possible and scalable across the value chain.”
In conclusion, Zain Group’s consistent recognition as a regional leader in the Global Child Forum’s benchmark is a testament to its genuine and comprehensive commitment to children’s rights. By embedding these principles into its governance, operations, and culture, Zain sets a powerful example for other businesses in the region and beyond. To learn more about Zain’s performance and the Global Child Forum’s methodology, you can view the full scorecard here: Global Child Forum – Scorecard.
