United Nations in Zimbabwe

The 2016 – 2021 Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF), co-chaired by Government and the United Nations, is the strategic document via which UN Entities channel their support to the achievement of the SDGs in Zimbabwe. The ZUNDAF, which comprises six result areas and fifteen outcomes is fully aligned to the SDGs. The six result areas are: Social Services and Protection; Poverty Reduction and Value Addition; Food and Nutrition; Gender Equality; HIV and AIDS; and Public Administration and Governance. The United Nations in Zimbabwe also supports Government to conduct regular monitoring and reporting on progress towards the SDGs at national and sub-national levels. In addition, the United Nations regularly facilitates national and local consultations and advocacy campaigns in partnership with the Office of the President and Cabinet, Government Ministries, Parliament, Development Partners, Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations, Youth Group, Media, and the Public on mainstreaming and implementation of the SDGs.

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15 September 2021

Youth participation, engagement in building democratic resilience

*By Åsa Pehrson and Maria Ribeiro Six years ago, 193 UN Member States rolled up their sleeves to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Agenda’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call to action to end poverty, inequality and to tackle climate change, while ensuring no one is left behind. Although 2030 seems distant, it is less than a decade or only two electoral cycles away in many countries. On the occasion of this year’s International Day of Democracy in Zimbabwe, the United Nations and the Embassy of Sweden have elected to commemorate Youth for Democratic Resilience. On this occasion, we call on national and local leaders to create opportunities for the youth to meaningfully participate in decision making and ensure their ownership of the SDGs, and to be part of shaping their future in Zimbabwe. With its largely youthful population, Zimbabwe could benefit from a demographic dividend though a combination of strategic investments and the adoption of supportive policy environment. Closing the gap between youth and their leaders is critical to strengthening the resilience of democratic institutions. Achieving a robust Human Development trajectory requires an equitable and democratic development agenda that guarantees higher standards of education, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health services, health for all and a green growth strategy that balances the management of natural resources with demands of development imperatives. Therefore, if development entails the improvement in people’s standard of living – their incomes, health outcomes, education levels, and general wellbeing – and if it also encompasses their self-esteem, respect, dignity, and freedom to choose, then the country must concentrate on addressing the underlying social, economic, and political conditions related to improving the participation of youth in democratic resilience. Some strategies have shown to be essential in this context: First, children and the youth participation in political discourse and democratic processes, including in multilateral fora. Many of youth in Zimbabwe have already been engaging with the United Nations and bilateral donors, including Sweden at youth-focused events, through model UN, climate action conferences, democracy talks, SDGs advocacy and other topical issues. This participation is essential to having young people’s positions and views reflected in the national development priorities. Second, it is important to ensure the right of girls and young women to education. While education is a human right, it is also an indispensable means by which girls and young women can realise all the other rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and indeed in the Zimbabwean Constitution. Levels of poverty remains stubbornly high throughout the country and have resulted in a decrease in school attendance. Young girls are especially at risk of losing their access to education as parents are more likely to send young boys to school if a choice must be made, while young girls are married of early for wealth creation. Out-of-school girls are more vulnerable to early sexual debut, teenage pregnancies, and childbearing. This in turn may result is sexual exploitation, an increased risk of HIV infection and other undesirable outcomes of sexual encounters. Denial of the right to education leads to exclusion from the labour market and marginalization into the informal sector, unpaid work, or early marriages. This perpetuates and increases women’s poverty and contributes to poor literary. According to the institute for Women’s Policy Research, graduating from high school alone increases working mothers’ earnings by over $1.60 per hour (over $3,300 per year). In contrast, each year of work experience is worth only 10 cents per hour. Third, sexual and reproductive health rights save lives and has long been considered a key component of socioeconomic development. In 2019, 7.1% of youth between the ages of 15 and 24 were married before the age of 15. Most women who get married at a younger age are often in intergenerational marriages, thus increasing their vulnerability to poor health outcomes due to early childbearing and abuse owing to unequal power dynamics. Zimbabwe’s maternal mortality rate remains worryingly high. When women and couples are provided with adequate sexual and reproductive health information and services, including family planning, we can ensure that every child is wanted, and every birth is safe. And we can enhance youth participation, particularly that of young women and girls in the fight inequality and to end poverty. Fourth, improved coverage and quality of health, water, and sanitation services for those who lack them would do much to reduce the burden of water-related diseases and to improve quality of life. Studies have consistently shown that improvements in water and sanitation coverage – including the implementation of low-cost, simple technology systems – can reduce the incidence of diarrhea, cholera, and other water-related diseases. Furthermore, providing water and sanitation confers multiple benefits beyond reducing water-related diseases, including alleviating the time and economic burden of having to collect water thereby also ensuring that women and girls who often bear the burden of walking long distances to fetch water are not exposed to personal security risks. Fifth, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a deep and disproportionate impact on youth and youth entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe. Although the youth have in many cases risen to the challenge by showcasing innovative responses to the pandemic from a wide range of young social entrepreneurs, additional support is needed to survive the crisis, to multiply their impact, and to lead the way in forging an inclusive and sustainable recovery. Finally, the more sustainable use of a country’s natural endowments-of land, energy and water is an essential part of the equation. Moving towards a more sustainable growth path, that is low carbon and climate resilient, will enable Zimbabwe to harness its vibrant and resourceful youth through engaging them in innovation and ICT to conserving its natural resource base while meeting the demands of people, so it remains a rich heritage for future generations. Let us close on noting the aspirations of young people in Zimbabwe – today, with over 60% of the population of the country under the age of 35, investing in young people and empowering them to realize their potential, is what will drive durable peace, co-existence, inclusive society, resilient democracy, and long-term wealth creation in the country. When young people enjoy good health, including sexual and reproductive health rights, higher quality education, decent working conditions, and are allowed to express their opinions and views freely they are a powerful force for democratic, economic, and social development. Investing in young people is one of the smartest investments that any country can make. A central premise of the work of the United Nations and Sweden’s history of supporting human rights and democracy before and since Zimbabwe’s independence are citizens’ right to participation, particularly that of young people have a critical impact on its development prospects and on the living standards of the poor. Investing in young people -- and providing both boys and girls with equal opportunities and the means to determine the number, timing and spacing of their children -- create the conditions to break out of the poverty trap and increase levels of human development. In a nutshell, a panacea for an egalitarian and resilient democratic society. As we mark the International Day of Democracy, each one of us is an equal part of the efforts to advance freedom from want and freedom from fear. Our small individual actions, joined together, can lead to a positive change for everyone and every community. Zimbabwe’s aspiration to becoming an equitable prosperous upper middle-income society by 2030 is dependent on the decisions that the country now makes with its youth demographic dividend. * Åsa Pehrson is the Ambassador of Sweden and Maria Ribeiro is UN Resident Coordinator, in Zimbabwe

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24 June 2020

COVID-19 pandemic reveals investment in development reaps rewards during crisis

Cricensia Tshu, one of the nurses at Sipepa Rural Hospital, takes out the insulated case of vaccines from the refrigerator to prepare for the day. As with other days, Cricensia prepares to receive mothers as they bring their infants for their vaccination shots. Two years ago, this routine activity would not have been guaranteed. Unreliable power supply, which has affected Zimbabwe and most Southern African countries, created inconsistencies in the availability of vaccines which need to maintain a cold chain from the central pharmacies in Harare to Sipepa, over 550 km away. UNDP with support from the Global Fund and in partnership with Ministry of Health and Child Care, and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, equipped 405 health facilities across the country with solar systems of varying capacity. These systems provide primary power for critical operations including in maternal theatres and wards; pharmacies for medicines and vaccine refrigeration; information systems; and night lighting in the facilities. “The experience from our partnership with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and Global Fund provides a platform to continuously invest in a robust health system that can adequately absorb the demand on health facilities” said UNDP Resident Representative, Georges van Montfort. As Zimbabwe prepares for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases, the investment in 405 health facilities with solar grids will play a critical role in response to the disease. Power for medical devices, information systems and lighting will be important to contain the spread of the virus, provide care for patients and for real-time reporting of incidents across the country. Through the Global Fund, the UN has supported the National Response Plan to COVID-19 through the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline health workers with US$4.1 million. UNDP is partnering with the Government, other UN agencies and the private sector to engage communities on information dissemination; support youth-led business working on the COVID-19 response, and to support the informal sector. Further, options for Global Fund support to the COVID response by the health sector are also being considered. The partnership between Government, Global Fund and UNDP to strengthen national health systems is supporting the country towards achievement of SDGs 3, 7, 8, 13 and 17: Good health and well-being, Affordable and clean energy, Decent work, Climate action and partnerships.

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Solar for health initiative enhances health services for mothers and children in 405 health facilities across the country

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24 June 2020

Providing services to survivors of gender-based violence during COVID-19

“Our work with Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and advancing women’s rights is not stopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, our contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 is to ensure that we continuously monitor and bring forward cases of gender-based violence through our members,” said Director of Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau, Ronika Mumbire. Women are largely affected both physically and emotionally while they are also at higher risk of infection as they respond to the crisis. Data from previous outbreaks’ emergency response efforts often divert resources from essential services, exacerbating ordinary lack of access to services, including pre- and post-natal health care, as well as contraceptives. UN Women Country Representative, Delphine Serumaga maintains that it is essential to address the immediate needs of women. “Everybody thinks that the world stops just because we have Covid-19 amongst us. No! That is not true. All other essential services must continue. It is imperative to ensure that women have an escape route when they are faced with abusive situations, while other individuals who are witnessing abuse must have adequate knowledge to advise or report such situations,” she said. Life-saving services for survivors of gender-based violence continue to be offered during Zimbabwe’s COVID-19-related lockdown, such as those offered by Bubi Shelter in Bubi district. This provides, not only shelter for survivors, but has also helps improve the reporting of cases. As part of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts, UNFPA Zimbabwe is working closely with civil society organizations and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs Community and Small to Medium Enterprises Development (MWACSMED) to ensure the continuation of GBV services. CSO partners include Musasa Project, Adult Rape Clinic, Family AIDS Counselling Trust, Family Support Trust, FACT, ZAPSO, ZICHIRE and World Vision. These efforts include equipping all supported GBV facilities – static and mobile one-stop centres, shelters and safe spaces – with COVID-19 infection, prevention and control (IPC) supplies. IPC supplies include masks, gloves, thermometers, temporary isolation tents for GBV survivors with suspicious symptoms, and extra transport support as alternatives to limited availability of public transport for survivors being referred to higher levels of care. These measures are critical to ensure that survivors receive the services they need, while also mitigating against the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a safe haven, Bubi shelter has become a beacon of hope in the community. It shows what can be achieved when there is solidarity against the crime of violence against women and girls. The facility brings together religious leaders, councillors, and men and women from the community to discuss how to end GBV against women and girls in the community, explained Ward Councillor Mbizo Siwela. We are very happy and grateful for the shelter as it is doing a good job in checking and supressing GBV. “The shelter has helped bring to light the plight of the girl child through community forum meetings, where issues relating to prevention of and response to gender-based violence are shared,” he said. “We are very happy and grateful for the shelter as it is doing a good job in checking and supressing GBV. The shelter has helped improve reporting of GBV cases.” Currently housing 15 survivors and 4 accompanying minors, the facility shelters women and girls who have experienced GBV, mostly at the hands of those who are supposed to love and protect them. “Enduring this type of violence is not an easy experience,” said Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, UNFPA Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, during a recent visit to the shelter. “We must ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and that this leads to convictions. We must never allow this to happen as a community. We must also ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and that this leads to convictions,” she said. The majority of GBV cases registered at Bubi shelter involve adolescent girls. The facility has also emerged as a strong link in the referral system, ensuring that survivors get a comprehensive package of care. Bubi equips the survivors with skills and knowledge on how to deal with GBV, thus training them to become community ambassadors ready to help others who might potentially experience violence. The Covid-19 pandemic has had a tremendous effect on gender-based violence due to resultant socio-economic stresses. Cases of gender-based violence have been on the rise globally, as well as in Zimbabwe. In a normal month, the Musasa Project Call Center receives approximately 500 calls from survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Within a week of the lockdown being enforced in Zimbabwe, however, we have received 592 calls from women and girls experiencing GBV.” This increase in GBV cases is worrisome, but organizations such as Musasa Project are working tirelessly to ensure that women and girls receive the help and services they require to overcome abuse. For instance, Musasa Project has continued to provide safe spaces to survivors of GBV who need to seek shelter away from their abusive homes. Through the joint global Spotlight Initiative of European Union and the United Nations is providing assistance to organizations such as Musasa Project to ensure survivors of GBV have access to quality GBV services. This support will prove to be even more critical as cases of GBV rise rapidly due to the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. To report for sexual and gender-based violence, contact immediately the following toll-free hotlines available 24 hours: Musasa Project: 08080074 Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA): 08080131

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Service providers disseminating information at the launch of one-stop center campaigns

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15 August 2023

Reinforcing our Commitment to Peace, Human Rights and Development

*By Edward Kallon Prelude to the Summit of the Future (2024) which aims to adopt collective agreements on global solidarity for current and future generations, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres has released a Policy Brief on – A New Agenda for Peace. The Policy Brief follows the declaration on the commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United Nations, in which the Heads of State and Government undertook to promote peace and prevent conflicts. This requires major actions at global and national levels to address the complex, multi-faceted and multi-layered threats to peace and development and the ability to deliver on the promise of the Charter of the United Nations and the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Indeed, the Secretary-General’s message depict the correlation between peace, human rights, and development. The timeliness of this message in view of the 23 August harmonized elections cannot be overemphasized. Zimbabwe’s engagement and re-engagement policy, including the ongoing arrears clearance and debt resolution dialogue is already repositioning the country on a new path towards prosperity. It is critical for Zimbabweans to seize the moment and conduct a peaceful and inclusive electoral process that would widen the trajectory towards a brighter future for all. Violence in all its forms must continually be denounced and prevented before, during and after elections. Diagnosing the challenges: the Secretary-General’s key messages The global challenge to peace and development is as glaring as it is frightening. It was Kofi Annan, who identified the apt nexus of the conundrum in the following coinage: there can be no peace without development; there can be no development without peace; and there can be no sustainable peace and development without respect for human rights. If one of these three pillars is weak in a nation or a region, the whole structure is weak. The Secretary-General’s renewed agenda for peace maintains that inequalities and injustices, within and among nations, are giving rise to new grievances. Global warming and its attendant problems of climate change, together with increasing marginalization, and raging conflicts have rendered young people all over the world disillusioned about the prospects for their future. The urgency of all countries to come together, to fulfil the promise of the nations united, the Secretary-General says, has rarely been greater. The peace the world is envisaging can only be pursued alongside sustainable development and human rights. The Secretary-General’s policy brief has raised concerns over the shrinking space for civic participation. Digital tools that created previously inconceivable avenues for civic participation, in particular for young people, are now used to restrict civic space. For the tenets of the Charter to be realized, redressing the pervasive historical imbalances that characterize the international system – from the legacies of colonialism and slavery to the deeply unjust global financial architecture and anachronistic peace and security structures of today – must be a priority. Paradigm shift to prevention Action for peace is urgently needed, not just to address crises and their immediate consequences, but also to prevent them and tackle their underlying drivers. This must begin with bolstering the implementation of all the SDGs, to drastically improve the ability of developing countries (including Zimbabwe) to close their current development financing gaps, and increase resources allocated to support national action for peace. As a way forward to having durable peace, we also need to invest in building peace through Global citizenship education and strengthen Media and Information Literacy Skills programmes to build and strengthen a culture of peace among citizens. A renewed commitment to prevention must start by addressing that lack of trust, along with investment in national prevention capacities and infrastructures for peace. A whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach grounded in sustainable development that leaves no one and no region behind would make national prevention strategies more effective. Overall, prevention is better and cheaper than cure. A commendable development worth highlighting is the anticipated renewed role of Member States, like Zimbabwe, in the new agenda for peace. Member States ought to develop nationally led prevention strategies to address the different drivers and enablers of violence and conflict in societies and strengthen national infrastructures for peace. These strategies can help reinforce State institutions, promote the rule of law, and strengthen civil society and social cohesion, so as to ensure greater tolerance and solidarity. Equally important is the need to ensure that human rights in their entirety – economic, social, and cultural rights as well as civil, ecological, and political rights – are at the heart of national prevention strategies, as human rights are critical to guarantee conditions of inclusion and protect against marginalization and discrimination. 2023 elections and the peace imperative As Zimbabwe gears up for the harmonized elections, the imperative to highlight the need for a peaceful and inclusive process to further consolidate and deepen the democratic process and foster social-cohesion, sustainable development, and prosperity cannot be overemphasized. First, peace is a catalyst for development. A peaceful election serves as a foundation for sustainable development that would create an environment conducive to socio-economic growth and transformation. Second, prosperity and inclusive economic progress is linked to political stability and genuine and purposeful respect for human rights. Zimbabwean stakeholders - political leaders and citizens - must prioritize peace during elections, ensuring an atmosphere of tolerance, mutual trust, and inclusivity. Third, to ensure peaceful elections, it is essential to address the underlying issues that often fuel political tensions. Ensuring transparency, effective voter education, and impartiality of the electoral body and related institutions are crucial elements that build trust and accountability. Confidence in the process can be reinforced through non-partisan observation and independent monitoring. Inclusive dialogue between political leaders, with the support of the media and civil society organizations, including faith-based organizations can contribute to creating an enabling environment of peace and sustain national unity. I believe that no Zimbabwean should die, or be subjected to violence or suffer discrimination, while exercising their rights to political participation, including the right to vote and to be elected. As Zimbabwe approaches the harmonized elections this month, the reimagination of its future lies in the hands of its citizens and political leaders. By prioritizing peace and human rights during the electoral process, Zimbabwe has an opportunity to change its narrative and assume its economic leadership position in Southern Africa. Political leaders should avoid fanning the embers of discontent and use of language that is likely to incite, promote, or encourage others to commit acts of violence or harm against opponents. I commend the relentless calls for peace by the President and other political leaders so far. My appeal is that those who will emerge as winners should do so in magnanimity. Those who will not make it should display a spirit of fair play and restraint. Grievances or dissatisfaction with the outcome should be channeled peacefully through established mechanisms and courts law. This year, as the world commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights– a historical document that was drafted as a blueprint to prevent conflict and build peace, let us heed the words of the UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, who has said that promotion of human rights is the best starting point for preventing crises and building peace. I urge all stakeholders to embrace the opportunity to make peace happen. Let the overall winner in this election be Zimbabwe as country. *Edward Kallon is the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Zimbabwe, and Representative of the UN Secretary General in the country.

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15 June 2023

Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Advancing Freedoms, Equality, Justice for all

The year 2023 marks the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) providing an opportunity for the United Nations to put the spotlight on human rights across the globe. To mark the anniversary of this historic document, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, launched a global Human Rights 75 Initiative. In Zimbabwe, the 75th anniversary of the UDHR provides an opportunity for the United Nations and stakeholders in Government, civil society, and business sector to rekindle the hope of human rights for every person. To mark the launch of the national Human Rights 75 Initiative in Zimbabwe, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon said, “Rights violations reverberate across borders and across generations. These can be, must be, collectively overcome. As the world faces challenges, new and ongoing pandemics, conflicts, exploding inequalities, moral bankruptcy, global financial system collapse, racism, climate change – the values, and rights enshrined in the UDHR provide guideposts for our collective actions that do not leave anyone behind.” Activities to advance the Human Rights 75 Initiative will run throughout the year and culminate in a High-Level Event convened by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, together with a group of leaders and co-hosted by the Government of Switzerland. This Event which will take place from 11 to 12 December 2023 will provide all Member States and other stakeholders with an opportunity to submit pledges for transformative change and progress in the cause of human rights. In recognition of the Human Rights 75 Initiative global thematic focus for June highlighting women’s rights, activities for the rest of the month will leverage on the achievements of the Spotlight Initiative, a joint programme to eliminate violence against women and girls implemented by the United Nations and Partners with the funding from the European Union. Pointing out the need to raise the awareness on the interdependence and interconnectedness of women’s rights in all spheres of life, UN Women Country Representative Fatou Lo said: “No meaningful social contract is possible without the active and equal participation of women and girls. Equal participation in leadership, economic inclusion, and gender-balanced decision-making are simply better for everyone, men, and women alike.” The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a foundational blueprint for taking concrete actions to stand up for human rights including women’s rights and tackle pressing social, economic and political issues of today. The UN in Zimbabwe calls on the Government and all stakeholders to rekindle the spirit, impulse, and vitality of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and renew a national consensus on advancing human rights. Note: This is part of a broader #ZIM4HumanRights advocacy running until December 2023 to engage with media, Government institutions, Independent Commissions, Civil society, Private sector, and religious bodies in Zimbabwe. In the decades since 50 countries signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we have pushed the frontiers in medicine, technology, the environment, social and political expression, economic and labour laws, and more. We have witnessed the signing of The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) ratified by Zimbabwe, in addition section 80 of the Zimbabwe Constitution recognises that “every woman has full and equal dignity of the person with men, and this includes equal opportunities in political, economic and social activities”. These milestones highlight progress as a process, and much to build on still remains. The Declaration reflects an agreement that equality, freedom, and justice are values that drive a thriving society where everyone can experience equal access to opportunities in these domains and any of their choosing. The Declaration is a life guide encompassing thirty articles that address rights and benefits, which have been realized by many yet outside the reach of others. These include access to education, employment, fair pay, voting rights, healthcare and more; the values of free speech, privacy, and mutual respect irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, or religion are evinced by the Declaration. Human Rights 75 Initiative has three goals: forging renewed consensus on the universality and indivisibility of human rights, reflecting on the application and breakthroughs for human rights over the next 25 years, and strengthening the UN human rights architecture. The initiative culminates in a high-level event which will take place on 11 to 12 December 2023. Human Rights 75 high-level event will be an opportunity for Member States and other stakeholders to submit pledges for transformative change and progress in the cause of human rights. The event will also commemorate achievements, while looking to the future. Its outcome will be a vision for human rights for the next 25 years, feeding into the UN Secretary General’s Summit of the Future which will take place in 2024. Link to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: https://www.ohchr.org/human-rights/universal-declaration/translations/english Link to the webpage on Human Rights 75 Initiative: https://www.ohchr.org/en/human-rights-75

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20 October 2022

UN supported programmes integrate prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse

The United Nations in Zimbabwe conducted an awareness campaign on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) in Highfields and Hopley targeting communities who have been receiving relief and development assistance from various UN entities. The campaign, which took place on 14 October 2022 brought together experts from UNRCO, UNOPS, GOAL, and Musasa, is part of an ongoing nation-wide effort to promote the United Nations policy of zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) in UN supported programmes. “The United Nations does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse hence it should be reported through established channels. A survivor-centered approach in handling such matters will be taken to ensure the victim is safe and that justice is served,” said the United Nations PSEA Coordinator, Lipotso `Musi. Through implementing partners, GOAL Zimbabwe and Musasa, the PSEA awareness-raising campaigns include roadshows, jingles, skits, and media outreach to motivate communities to report SEA and appreciate that relief assistance is free for all people in need. The objective is to deconstruct negative social norms where the vulnerable are sexually exploited for money, employment, goods, or services from individuals in positions of authority. “The project supports the critical work of Non-Governmental Organizations and UN Agencies supporting the Government of Zimbabwe by ensuring all affected people know that humanitarian assistance is never conditional,” stated Gashaw Makonnen, Country Director for GOAL in Zimbabwe. The United Nations, with funding from the Embassy of Ireland, has rolled out the PSEA Project across all ten provinces of Zimbabwe. The project is designed to create awareness among communities on their right to protection from SEA, and in the unfortunate case, educate beneficiary communities on access to safe channels for reporting. In Zimbabwe, disasters have escalated the need for humanitarian assistance which has also increased communities’ exposure to sexual exploitation and abuse from humanitarian workers. A consistent, long-term engagement with communities will dismantle negative social norms which perpetuate exploitation and abuse and create barriers to safe and accessible reporting of sexual exploitation and abuse perpetrated against beneficiaries. Findings of risk assessment undertaken by the Zimbabwe PSEA Network in 2020, highlighted barriers to reporting SEA are linked to low awareness of reporting channels and fear of retaliation by the perpetrators who use their power to exploit. The PSEA project provides a platform for individuals to speak out without fear of exclusion from humanitarian assistance.

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22 June 2022

Leave no one behind: Spotlight Initiative a boon to women with disabilities

Chipinge, Zimbabwe – Angeline Mlambo, 41, from Chipinge rural district says her life turned around for better when the joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls programme (Spotlight Initiative) began work in her village. As a person with a disability, Angeline has survived abuse and discrimination by her own close family members including her husband. Angeline says, “My husband would constantly insult me. He would withhold money from me even if I needed it to buy food for the household; he would insist on doing it himself.” “My husband’s family considered me useless because I was not able to work with my hands to make a living for myself like other women do – like washing clothes and farming,” says Angeline while pointing towards her right hand, which has been partially paralyzed since birth. Angeline’s experience is sadly not a rare occurrence for women with disabilities in Zimbabwe and across the world. According to the World Bank’s brief on Violence Against Women and Girls with Disabilities published in December 2019, girls and women with disabilities face up to 10 times more violence than women and girls without disabilities. Women with disabilities are 2 to 4 times more likely to experience intimate partner violence. These factors can be attributed to them being targeted by perpetrators because of limited physical mobility or means of communication. Disability rights are human rights When Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) introduced awareness programmes in Chipinge, Angeline’s situation began to change. “Through LCDZ, I learnt that I could take care of myself and be independent even as a woman with a disability. I have also learnt about my rights and how the law protects people like me. I now feel empowered to overcome the challenges I face, and I know where to report abuse and receive assistance,” said Angeline. Under the Spotlight Initiative, UNDP has partnered with LCDZ to provide women and girls with a platform to learn about their rights and include them in law and policy making processes. Project Officer of LCDZ, Ms. Isabel Chipunza said, “Meaningful participation of women and girls with disabilities in political and public life has been a core principle of LCDZ under Spotlight Initiative. Capacitating women and girls with disabilities to participate in national and subnational decision-making processes and strengthening the capacity of local leadership and community cadres to support this vulnerable group will go a long way in addressing their unique challenges and building a more inclusive society.” Building women’s economic empowerment in communities LCDZ has also provided women and girls with disabilities in Chipinge with capital to start their own projects to foster economic empowerment. These projects, including agriculture and poultry farming, have been essential in giving women in this community a sense of ownership, and a means to provide for their families without overdependence on their male partners. “With the support of LCDZ, I learnt that being a person with a disability does not prevent me from living life like able bodied persons. I am now able to cultivate my own garden. Through the borrowing and lending project, I was able to buy Guineafowl eggs, and now I have started my own project, with over 100 Guineafowls that I can sell to generate income, provide food for my family, and take my children to school,” says Angeline with pride beaming from her eyes. UN support to women and girls with disabilities in Zimbabwe There are many challenges and discriminatory practices that inhibit the meaningful participation of women and girls with disabilities in decision making and development processes. As one of the six UN Agencies implementing the European Union (EU) funded Spotlight Initiative in Zimbabwe, UNDP, in partnership with LCDZ, continues to support women and girls with disabilities in this area, and is also providing them with access to economic empowerment opportunities. Head of Governance, and Spotlight Initiative Technical Focal Point at UNDP, Ms. Tafadzwa Muvingi said, “Within Spotlight Initiative, the UN has successfully championed transformative initiatives which have led to increased participation of women and girls with disabilities in development and decision-making processes, as well as the gender-based violence response in Zimbabwe.” Ms. Muvingi added, “Empowerment of women and girls with disabilities in this regard is central to enhancing their voice and agency and addressing the barriers they face in accessing sexual and gender-based violence related services and participating in legislative processes.” To date, UNDP has trained over 610 women and girls with disabilities on human rights, access to justice and sexual and gender-based violence services. In addition, over 1,200 women and girls and representative of Organizations for Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) have been supported to participate in public consultations on the National Budget, Disability Bill and Policy, Constitutional Amendment Bill, principles for the Gender Equality and Sexual Harassment Bills, and age of consent to accessing reproductive healthcare services, to mention a few. Message to women and girls with disabilities Asked what message she would like to share with other women and girls with disabilities, Angeline said, “Firstly, accept who you are and realize you are a human being like everyone else. Secondly, do not look down on yourself because of your disability. You are more than capable, and I encourage you to work for yourself and be able to sustain your own livelihood.” About Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls The Spotlight Initiative is a global initiative of the UN, which has received generous funding from the European Union (EU). Zimbabwe is one of 22 countries globally and 8 countries in Africa that have benefitted from this programme with a funding commitment of USD 30 million from the EU. Since the programme’s launch in 2019, the UN in Zimbabwe has been implementing projects in five provinces across the country, namely: Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West, and Matabeleland South. As at the end of December 2021, the Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative programme had reached a total of over FIVE million beneficiaries, including over THREE million women and girls, and about TWO million men and boys.

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Press Release

11 August 2023

UN Zimbabwe message on International Youth Day 2023 | Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World

12 August 2023, Harare – today the United Nations System in Zimbabwe joins the world and Zimbabwe in commemorating the International Youth Day. We jointly affirm this year’s theme "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World." The theme was chosen in recognition of the critical role that young people play in addressing global environmental challenges. In essence, green skills are about both (i) technical knowledge and skills that enable young people to effectively use green technologies and processes (i.e. resource efficient technologies or processes that reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of human action); and (ii) transversal skills, as well as knowledge, values and attitudes that help them take pro-environmental decisions in their work and lives. Zimbabwe, like many other countries, faces significant climate and environmental challenges, including deforestation, land degradation, water scarcity, cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and biodiversity loss. These challenges have adverse effects on both present and future generations, particularly impacting young people’s health and wellbeing and opportunities. A green economy offers the potential for new jobs to be created and for existing jobs to change, which requires adjusting training and skills relevant for green jobs. These employment opportunities are important to young people, whose energy and creativity is needed in creating a sustainable and employment-orientated present and future. Green skills encompass a wide range of competencies, including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, climate science, biodiversity conservation, green entrepreneurship, and sustainable urban planning including supporting related innovations. These skills equip young people with the capacity to contribute to sustainable development at various levels: locally, nationally, and globally. To achieve a sustainable world, we call upon all stakeholders including relevant government institutions, civil society, private sector, educational institutions, and youth-led organizations to prioritize the following actions: First, education for sustainability: Foster education systems that integrate sustainability across curricula, ensuring that youth have access to quality and inclusive education. Promote interdisciplinary approaches, engaging students in hands-on experiences, research, and problem-solving related to climate and environmental sustainability. Second, green skills training and employment: Provide vocational training, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship programs that focus on green skills development. Encourage public-private partnerships to create more job opportunities in the green economy, enabling youth to contribute their talents effectively. Third, youth-led initiatives: Support and strengthen youth-led organizations and initiatives that promote environmental sustainability. Provide platforms for young people to voice their concerns, ideas, and innovations, and amplify their participation in decision-making processes related to sustainable development. Fourth, access to sustainable technologies: Ensure that youth, particularly those from marginalized communities, have access to affordable and sustainable technologies, enabling them to participate in green initiatives. Promote innovation and research for the development of environmentally friendly technologies that address local and global environmental challenges. Fifth, international cooperation: Strengthen international cooperation and exchange of knowledge, experiences, and best practices among governments, organizations, and individuals working towards a sustainable future. Promote collaboration across borders to address transboundary environmental issues and build a global community dedicated to environmental stewardship. On International Youth Day 2023, let us recognize the potential of young people to drive sustainable development. By investing in green skills and empowering youth, we can foster a generation that actively contributes to building a sustainable world – one that respects planetary boundaries and leaves no one behind. The United Nations Country Team in Zimbabwe stands ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to support the development of green skills for youth, fostering a sustainable future for our country. Together, let us harness the energy, creativity, and determination of young people to build a greener, more resilient, and prosperous Zimbabwe for all. For more information: Visit UN Zimbabwe website: https://zimbabwe.un.org/ , Twitter: @UNZimbabwe, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zimbabwe.un.org

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Press Release

06 April 2023

US$ 524M development results delivered under Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework

06 April 2023, Harare – The 2022-2026 Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (ZUNSDCF) Steering Committee and stakeholders convened jointly by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck JM Sibanda and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon reviewed development results in 2022 and endorsed plans for 2023. The ZUNSDCF, delivering US$524 million in various forms of projects and programmes in 2022, has made deliberate initiatives to target populations often left furthest behind and these include persons with disabilities, migrants and refugees, children, youths, and rural farmers among others under four strategic areas agreed with the Government of Zimbabwe namely: People–centred equitable, human development and well-being. Environment protection, climatic resilience, and natural resource management. Economic Transformation, equitable and inclusion growth; and Accountable, equitable and inclusive governance. Noting that in 2022 the United Nations prioritized social protection, resilience building, provision of quality social services, gender equality, democratic and economic governance, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon said, “without the generous support of the donor community, the development results could not have been achieved and I would like to thank the donor community in Zimbabwe, who supported the first year of implementing the ZUNSDCF with an estimated US$ 544 million”. The Steering Committee and stakeholders meeting brought together over 100 senior representatives from Government, Development Partners, Civil Society, Private Sector, Youth Groups, Women’s movement, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, and the media. Addressing the meeting, Chief Secretary to President and Cabinet said, “the ZUNSDCF is consistent with the collective aspirations and determination of the people of Zimbabwe to achieve an empowered and prosperous upper middle-income society by 2030 as enunciated by His Excellency, President Dr Emmerson D. Mnangagwa and attaining the global aspirations of the transformation and universally accepted Sustainable Development Goals.” The Government of Zimbabwe and the United Nations have a shared commitment to leaving no one behind through delivering concrete results that ensure inclusive participation and reaching the people typically left behind the furthest. Noting that the UN Country Team in Zimbabwe shares this vision and is taking active steps to implement it through the Cooperation Framework, Dr Misheck JM Sibanda said, “we all work together to accelerate development progress during the Decade of Action as we work to recover better and stronger from the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic”. The High-Level Joint Steering Committee meeting allowed stakeholders to review and assess existing strategies under the ZUNSDCF and agreed to focus in 2023 on: Creating enabling environment that promote (i) human development, (ii) climate resilience, natural resources management and sustainable food systems, and (iii) economic transformation, equitable and inclusive growth. Addressing structural challenges related to extreme poverty, exclusion, corruption, discrimination, adherence to the rule of law, and violation of human rights. Strengthening government and partners’ capacities at national and sub-national levels to plan and deliver transparently and accountably quality, evidence based and equitable basic public goods and services, implement climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions and build long term resilience, especially for the furthest left behind. Empowering communities, especially the most vulnerable and the furthest behind, to demand their rights and meet their responsibilities and promote dialogue and citizen engagement. The ZUNSDCF with a five-year programme cycle until 2026 and fully aligned to the National Development Strategy One has a development finance portfolio of US$ 2.8billion to be mobilized in support of national development priorities and SDGs. Media Contact: Anderson Chiraya, Chief Director of Programme Management, Office of the President and Cabinet, e-mail: chiraya.anderson@gmail.com, #Mob: +263 712323859 Sirak Gebrehiwot, UN Communications, Partnerships and Development Finance Specialist, e-mail: sirak.gebrehiwot@un.org, Mob# +263 772 198 036

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Press Release

20 February 2023

UN Secretary-General calls for radical transformation of global financial- system to tackle pressing global challenges, while achieving sustainable development

17 February 2023, New York - With the failure of the global financial system to effectively cushion the impacts of current global crises on the Global South — the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the ongoing climate emergency — the UN today called for the urgent need for a significant increase of finance for sustainable development. “Today’s poly-crises are compounding shocks on developing countries – in large part because of an unfair global financial system that is short-term, crisis-prone, and that further exacerbates inequalities,” warned UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the occasion of the launch of the SDG Stimulus released today. “We need to massively scale up affordable long-term financing by aligning all financing flows to the SDGs and improving the terms of lending of multilateral development banks,” stressed the Secretary-General. “The high cost of debt and increasing risks of debt distress demand decisive action to make at least $500 billion dollars available annually to developing countries and convert short term lending into long term debt at lower interest rates.” A financial system that works for all Halfway to the 2030 Agenda deadline, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – our roadmap out of crises – is not where it needs to be. To reverse course and make steady progress on the Goals, the SDG Stimulus outlines the need for the international community to come together to mobilize investments for the SDGs – but, in so doing, create a new international financial architecture that would ensure that finance is automatically invested to support just, inclusive and equitable transitions for all countries. The current global financial system – originally created to provide a global safety net during shocks – is one in which most of the world’s poorest countries saw their debt service payments skyrocket by 35% in 2022. The “great finance divide” continues to proliferate, leaving the Global South more susceptible to shocks. Developing countries don’t have the resources they urgently need to invest in recovery, climate action and the SDGs, making them poised to fall even further behind when the next crisis strikes – and even less likely to benefit from future transitions, including the green transition. As of November 2022, 37 out of 69 of the world’s poorest countries were either at high risk or already in debt distress, while one in four middle-income countries, which host the majority of the extreme poor, were at high risk of fiscal crisis. Accordingly, the number of additional people falling into extreme poverty in countries in or at high risk of entering debt distress is estimated to be 175 million by 2030, including 89 million women and girls. Even prior to the recent rise in interest rates, least developed countries that borrowed from international capital markets often paid rates of 5 to 8 per cent, compared to 1 per cent for many developed countries. SDG Stimulus Offers The SDG Stimulus aims to offset unfavorable market conditions faced by developing countries through investments in renewable energy, universal social protection, decent job creation, healthcare, quality education, sustainable food systems, urban infrastructure and the digital transformation. Increasing financing by $500 billion per year is possible through a combination of concessional and non-concessional finance in a mutually reinforcing way. Reforms to the international financial architecture are integral to the SDG Stimulus. As highlighted in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, financing sustainable development is about more than the availability of financial resources. National and global policy frameworks influence risks, shape incentives, impact financing needs, and affect the cost of financing. The SDG Stimulus outlines three areas for immediate action: First, tackle the high cost of debt and rising risks of debt distress, including by converting short-term high interest borrowing into long-term (more than 30 year) debt at lower interest rates. Second, massively scale up affordable long-term financing for development, especially through strengthening the multilateral development banks (MDB) capital base, improving the terms of their lending, and by aligning all financing flows with the SDGs. Third, expand contingency financing to countries in need, including by integrating disaster and pandemic clauses into all sovereign lending, and more automatically issue SDRs in times of crisis. Central role of International Financial Institutions The international financial institutions remain at the heart of this agenda. Of immediate urgency, there are three important ways in which the Multilateral Development Banks can act. First, the MDBs must massively expand the volume of lending, including concessional lending. This can be achieved through increasing their capital bases, better leveraging of existing capital and implementing recommendations of the G20 Capital Adequacy Framework Review, and re-channeling Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) through MDBs. As long as countries remain in need of urgent resources the SDG Stimulus will also call for a new round of SDRs. Second, MDBs must improve the terms of their lending, including through longer-term lending, lower-interest rates, more lending in local currencies, and the inclusion of all vulnerable countries in lending programmes. Third, MDBs – as well as all public and private actors – must explicitly incorporate the SDGs into their framing, their operations and all stages of the lending process and disaster and pandemic clauses must be integrated into all debt contracts to provide immediate relief in times of crisis. This means adopting a transition approach, which aligns investments with the SDGs while also considering specific country and development contexts, and the trade-offs that may be involved on the path towards a more resilient, just, and inclusive global economy. At the national level, the UN also stands ready to support, including through supporting the development and application of SDG-aligned Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs). Member States – including the Group of Twenty (G-20) – must play their part. It is clear that the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment (CF) has failed. The SDG Stimulus calls for providing immediate relief to all countries in need, including through debt suspensions, re-profilings, exchanges and write-downs where necessary, as well as the creation of a permanent mechanism to address sovereign debt distress. As underscored by the UN Secretary-General, the SDG Stimulus, while ambitious, is achievable: “Investing in the SDGs is both sensible and feasible: it is a win-win for the world, as the social and economic rates of return on sustainable development in developing countries is very high.” But to make this happen, “urgent political will to take concerted and coordinated steps to implement this package of interconnected proposals in a timely manner is critical.” A Bretton Woods 2.0 is sorely needed, both to fulfil the function for which it was originally designed for and to prepare the world, and its vulnerable people, as we head into uncertain terrain. The link to the SDG Stimulus document is here. MEDIA CONTACTS Francyne Harrigan, UN Department of Global Communications, harriganf@un.org Sharon Birch, UN Department of Global Communications, birchs@un.org

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Press Release

10 December 2022

Message on Human Rights Day | UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator

Seventy-four years ago, in 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Today, the UN family joins the Government and people of Zimbabwe, and development partners to mark Human Rights Day. This day also marks the end of the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. The 2022 Human Rights Day theme is – Stand up for Human Rights: Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All. As we mark Human Rights Day, we are reminded of what is contained in the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - that recognition of the inherent dignity; equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family are the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. As we journey together towards achieving the milestones in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy, we must be mindful of the fact that only by standing up for universal human rights can we advance sustainable development, prevent violence, and sustain peace. The 2030 Agenda and its 17 goals range from ending poverty, hunger, inequality, to protecting the environment, advancing peace and human rights for all. The 2030 Agenda therefore seeks to ‘leave no one behind’ and ‘reach those furthest behind first’. Human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals are therefore two sides of the same coin. Despite progress made, we are still faced with diverse challenges in many areas. The challenges include gender equality, youth engagement, racism, climate change, access to water, social protection, quality education and health to mention but a few. In his transformative vision for human rights – the Call to Action for Human Rights – the UN Secretary General places dignity, freedom, and justice for all at the heart of our collective engagement to build a more sustainable, just, inclusive, and peaceful world. Indeed, in his message on Human Rights Day, the Secretary General said, “Human rights are the foundation for human dignity, and the cornerstone of peaceful, inclusive, fair, equal, and prosperous societies. They are a unifying force and a rallying cry. They reflect the most fundamental thing we share – our common humanity.” Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the landmark Universal Declaration on Human Rights giving us a great opportunity for action. Let us all use this milestone to reaffirm the universality, the inalienability, and the indivisibility of all human rights. Let us all stand up for human rights for all. Thank you.

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