Zain Group has once again cemented its position as a regional leader in prioritizing the well-being of children, achieving the highest ranking in the Global Child Forum’s ‘The State of Children’s Rights and Business 2025’ Benchmark for the third year running. This recognition, announced coinciding with World Children’s Day, highlights Zain’s unwavering commitment to child rights and its proactive integration of these principles into every facet of its operations across the Middle East and Africa. The telecom giant’s score increased to 8.5/10, demonstrating continuous improvement and a dedication to safeguarding vulnerable populations.
Zain Group Leads the Way in Regional Child Rights Protection
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 based on 25 indicators across nine sectors, utilizing publicly available data. Zain’s success in this rigorous evaluation underscores its dedication to responsible business practices and sets a high standard for other corporations in the region.
The report reveals Zain significantly outperformed both sectoral and regional averages. While the telecom sector averaged 6.5/10 and the regional average stood at a mere 3.4, Zain achieved a remarkable score, more than doubling the ranking of many of its regional counterparts in crucial children’s safety categories. From a pool of 1,806 global companies, this achievement is a testament to Zain’s focused efforts.
Robust Governance and Collaborative Partnerships
Zain’s leadership isn’t simply about policy statements; it’s about concrete implementation and transparent reporting. The company received a perfect score of 10/10 in the Governance & Collaboration category, reflecting a strong, top-down commitment to protecting children’s rights. This is evident in its robust governance structures and comprehensive approach to various indicators.
Key Areas of Excellence
Zain’s perfect scores extend to several critical areas, including:
- Standards & Frameworks
- Board Accountability
- Grievance Mechanisms
- Collaboration with NGOs
- Ethical Labour Practices
- Responsible Marketing and Advertising
This comprehensive approach demonstrates a holistic understanding of the challenges and a proactive strategy to address them. Additionally, Zain actively partners with leading NGOs, including a three-year MoU with Child Helpline International (CHI), to strengthen child helplines within its operating markets.
Prioritizing Digital Safety and Ethical Practices
In today’s increasingly digital world, online child protection is paramount. Zain recognizes this, with Jennifer Suleiman, Zain Group Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasizing that one in three internet users are children, a number expected to grow with increased broadband access. Zain is actively working towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.2, which calls for ending all forms of violence against children by 2030.
Ethical Labour and Supply Chain Integrity
Zain maintains a zero-tolerance policy for child labour throughout its operations and supply chain. Suppliers are required to adhere to the ILO Minimum Age Convention (1973) and local laws, with compliance monitored through self-assessments, due diligence checks, and physical audits. Employees are empowered to report concerns through multiple channels, fostering transparency and accountability.
Family-Friendly Workplace Policies
Zain fosters a supportive work environment for parents, offering four months of maternity leave followed by flexible working hours until the child reaches four years old. New mothers can also request a two-month remote “baby-bonding” period. Fathers receive five days of paid paternity leave, demonstrating a commitment to shared parental responsibility.
Responsible Marketing and Data Protection
Zain’s commitment extends to responsible marketing and communications. The company’s Responsible Marketing and Communications Standard ensures accurate, transparent, and inclusive messaging, avoiding misleading content and adhering to international frameworks like UNICEF’s MO-CRIA. Crucially, Zain’s Data Protection Policy prioritizes the privacy of children, requiring guardian consent before processing the personal data of individuals below the legal age of consent.
A Scalable Model for Children’s Rights
Ekin Björstedt, Secretary General of Global Child Forum, praised Zain’s leadership, stating that the company demonstrates that prioritizing children’s rights is both possible and scalable across the entire value chain. This recognition serves as an invitation for other businesses to leverage the Benchmark and accelerate progress in protecting children.
Zain’s full 2025 scorecard is available on the Global Child Forum website, offering valuable insights for organizations seeking to improve their own performance in this critical area. By consistently demonstrating a commitment to corporate social responsibility and prioritizing the well-being of children, Zain Group continues to set a positive example for businesses across the region and beyond.
