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The Sustainable Development Goals 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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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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16 May 2022
17 Cyclists cycle 263km to Mutare to raise awareness on SDGs
17 Cyclists cycle 263km to Mutare to raise awareness on SDGs
17 Zimbabwean cyclists began a 263 kilometre ride to Mutare to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under a project called Cycling for SDGs. The event started at the Embassy of the Republic of Malawi, who are also the current SADC chair, with speeches from the Ambassador for Malawi H.E Mwayiwawo Polepole, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon and a Representative of the Ministry of Youth.
After the cutting of the ribbon by Mr. Kallon, the cyclists began their journey on SDG-branded bicycles. They made several stops along the way to interact with people, with a major stop being in Marondera, 80 kilometres east of Harare where 20 local cyclists, the towns’ Mayor, Resident Ministers’ representative and other officials joined them in cycling 500metres for SDGs.
The cyclists reached Mutare on Sunday 8 May after an overnight stop in Rusape. It was in Mutare that the Ambassador for Tanzania, H.E. Professor Emmanuel Mbennah who was acting SADC chair, launched the SADC region Cycling for SDGs. He encouraged young people and women to also participate in cycling for the SDGs as they are well able.
Speaking at this event, UN Resident Coordinator Edward Kallon said: “I am here this morning to show solidarity and reassure you that the United Nations and its entities are with you in advancing our Common Agenda encapsuled in the 17 SDGs.” He added that sport can be used as a low-cost and high-impact tool in development, humanitarian and peace-building efforts not only by the UN but by governments, development agencies, sports federations, NGOs and the media.
The cyclists were riding with a particular SDG in mind. Nkulumo Dube who is a four times National Cycling champion in various categories said he cycled to end poverty, because there can be little development where there is poverty.
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03 March 2022
UN Secretary General's Representative to Zimbabwe Edward Kallon presents credentials to President
03 March 2022, Harare – today, Mr. Edward Kallon of Sierra Leone presented his credentials as the Representative of the UN Secretary General and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to the Republic of Zimbabwe to His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa at a ceremony held at State House.
Mr. Kallon has devoted more than 30 years of his career to public service, working – both at the United Nations and externally – in complex emergency, transition and development context in conflict and non-conflict settings across lower- and middle-income countries. At the United Nations, he most recently served as the Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, following an assignment as Resident Coordinator in Jordan. He also held senior positions with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Bangladesh, India, Iraq, Somalia, Kenya and Uganda after starting his United Nations career as a United Nations Volunteer assigned to WFP in Afghanistan.
Prior to joining the United Nations, Mr. Kallon worked in his home country as a socio-economist and community development coordinator for GTZMANR, a Bilateral Technical Cooperation Project, as well as an income generation project coordinator with global non-profit Plan International.
He holds a master’s degree in development studies with a specialization in agriculture and rural development from the Institute of Social Studies in The Netherlands and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Njala University College of the University of Sierra Leone.
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29 October 2021
The Glasgow Climate Test
*By António Guterres
The climate crisis is a code red for humanity.
World leaders will soon be put to the test at the UN Climate Conference — known as COP26 — in Glasgow.
Their actions — or inactions — will show their seriousness about addressing this planetary emergency.
The warning signs are hard to miss: temperatures everywhere are reaching new highs; biodiversity is reaching new lows; oceans are warming, acidifying and choking with plastic waste. Increasing temperatures will make vast stretches of our planet dead zones for humanity by century’s end.
And the respected medical journal The Lancet just described climate change as the “defining narrative of human health” in the years to come — a crisis defined by widespread hunger, respiratory illness, deadly disasters and infectious disease outbreaks that could be even worse than COVID-19.
Despite these alarm bells ringing at fever pitch, we see new evidence in the latest UN reports that governments’ actions so far simply do not add up to what is so desperately needed.
Recent new announcements for climate action are welcome and critical — but even so, our world is on track for calamitous global temperature rises well above 2 degrees Celsius.
This is a far cry from the 1.5 degree Celsius target to which the world agreed under the Paris Agreement – a target that science tells us is the only sustainable pathway for our world.
This target is entirely achievable.
If we can reduce global emissions by 45 per cent compared to 2010 levels this decade.
If we can achieve global net-zero by 2050.
And if world leaders arrive in Glasgow with bold, ambitious and verifiable 2030 targets, and new, concrete policies to reverse this disaster.
G20 leaders — in particular — need to deliver.
The time has passed for diplomatic niceties.
If governments — especially G20 governments — do not stand up and lead this effort, we are headed for terrible human suffering.
But all countries need to realize that the old, carbon-burning model of development is a death sentence for their economies and our planet.
We need decarbonization now, across every sector in every country. We need to shift subsidies from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and tax pollution, not people. We need to put a price on carbon, and channel that back towards resilient infrastructures and jobs.
And we need to phase-out coal — by 2030 in OECD countries and 2040 in all others. Increasing numbers of governments have pledged to stop financing coal — and private finance needs to do the same, urgently.
People rightly expect their governments to lead. But we all have a responsibility to safeguard our collective future.
Businesses need to reduce their climate impact, and fully and credibly align their operations and financial flows to a net-zero future. No more excuses; no more greenwashing.
Investors — public and private alike — must do the same. They should join front runners like the net-zero asset owners alliance, and the UN’s own pension fund, which met its 2021 carbon reduction investment objectives ahead of time and above its target, with a 32 per cent reduction this year.
Individuals in every society need to make better, more responsible choices in what they eat, how they travel, and what they buy.
And young people — and climate activists — need to keep doing what they’re doing: demanding action from their leaders and keeping them accountable.
Throughout, we need global solidarity to help all countries make this shift. Developing countries are grappling with debt and liquidity crises. They need support.
Public and multilateral development banks must significantly increase their climate portfolios and intensify their efforts to help countries transition to net-zero, resilient economies. The developed world must urgently meet its commitment of at least $100 billion in annual climate finance for developing countries.
Donors and multilateral development banks to allocate at least half their climate finance towards adaptation and resilience.
The United Nations was founded 76 years ago to build consensus for action against the greatest threats facing humanity. But rarely have we faced a crisis like this one – a truly existential crisis that — if not addressed — threatens not only us, but future generations.
There is one path forward. A 1.5 degree future is the only viable future for humanity.
Leaders must get on with the job in Glasgow, before it’s too late.
*António Guterres is Secretary-General of the United Nations
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22 October 2021
Government, UN sign a new five-year cooperation framework
21 October 2021, Harare – today the Government and the United Nations signed a new five-year Zimbabwe UN Development Cooperation Framework (ZUNSDCF 2022-2026) that articulates the strategic engagement of the United Nations Country Team in Zimbabwe to support the country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The ZUNSDCF was signed by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Michek Sibanda and the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Maria Ribeiro.
The Framework was also signed by a total of 25 UN entities committing the UN Development System to draw on the full range of UN expertise on a common platform describing the collective vision and response of the UN Development System in Zimbabwe.
Noting that the ZUNSDCF was fully aligned to the 2021-2025 National Development Strategy I, the SDGs, and the African Union Agenda 2063, the Chief Secretary said, “The Cooperation Framework translates the promise to leave no one behind into tangible action for people on the ground, especially those furthest behind, while embodying the spirit of partnerships that are at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
The ZUNSDCF with full government ownership throughout the process, is a result of extensive consultations involving a wide range of key stakeholders whose inputs contributed to defining the strategic priorities and implementation modalities.
Underlining the participatory nature of the ZUNSDCF process that brought together over 940 people representing various constituencies, UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Maria Ribeiro said, “the Cooperation Framework will deliver concrete results that include access to quality public services and strengthening social cohesion; investing in preparedness and resilience; and accelerating transitions to green, blue, and digital that are critical to accelerate progress to leave no-one behind and protect the planet.”
The ZUNSDCF lays out an ambitious programme to accelerate development progress during the Decade of Action on SDGs as Zimbabwe works to recover better and stronger from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ZUNSDCF represents the vehicle through which 25 UN entities in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe and other stakeholders, will deliver transformative support that drives inclusive and sustainable economic growth, gender equality, human rights, and climate action.
The 2022-2026 Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework is available here.
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01 October 2021
Zimbabwe receives nearly one million COVID-19 vaccine doses from COVAX
01 October 2021, Harare– Zimbabwe has received 943,200 COVID-19 vaccine doses from the global COVAX Facility to complement ongoing national vaccine deployment.
The vaccines have been received in tranches where the first batch arrived on 29th September and the second batch today, 01 October 2021.
In a handover ceremony held this afternoon, Dr John Mangwiro, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care said, “We are grateful to all partners for their support in facilitating the arrival of the vaccines in our country.”
The COVAX Facility is a global partnership comprised of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and WHO, established to facilitate equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries.
The COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility are made possible thanks to the generous contributions from over 20 countries. The top seven countries that made donations to the COVAX Facility are: United States of America, Germany, United Kingdom, European Union, Sweden, Canada, and Saudi Arabia.
“We are delighted to see the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines in Zimbabwe through the COVAX Facility” said UN Resident Coordinator Maria Ribeiro. “This is an important and tangible act of solidarity from the international community and will bolster the admirable national COVID-19 vaccination rollout by Government of Zimbabwe.”
To date, Zimbabwe has procured over 12 million doses and accompanying injection safety materials using its own local resources.
As of 27 September 2021, a total of 3,051,371 eligible people in Zimbabwe had received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 2,211,880 their second across the country. This translates to a national coverage of 35.7% for the first dose and 25.8% for the second dose.
Zimbabwe launched its COVID-19 vaccination campaign on 22nd February 2021, targeting health workers and essential services providers. With availability of more doses, the vaccination was opened to everyone and is provided on a voluntary basis and free of charge.
While COVID-19 vaccination will allow countries to open their economic activities, continued adherence to preventive measures to avoid the spread of the virus by wearing face masks, washing hands and respecting social distancing remain critical.
The United Nations will continue working with the Government of Zimbabwe in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring continued provision of essential services including routine immunizations.
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Press Release
24 January 2022
UNHCR’s Protection Chief concludes three-day visit to Zimbabwe
Supporting the Government's efforts to protect and assist refugees and learn about the situation of refugees in the country dominated the visit of UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Gillian Triggs, to Zimbabwe from 19 to 21 January.
Triggs met with partners, donors, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Frederick Makamure Shava, and the Minister of Public Services, Labour & Social Welfare, Paul Mavima.
"We had very open and constructive discussions with the Government on all issues relating to the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers in the country. I'm encouraged that the Government will reinforce their commitment to improving refugee protection in accordance with international law," said Triggs.
Zimbabwe is home to more than 22,000 refugees and asylum-seekers. Most refugees live in the Tongogara refugee camp in Manicaland province and a small population live in urban areas. Zimbabwe hosts mainly refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Burundi and Rwanda.
Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country.
"Zimbabwe submitted 14 pledges during the Global Refugee Forum in 2019 and the High-Level Panel on Statelessness. There were seven to improve the situation of refugees in the country and seven on statelessness. I thank the Government for this bold decision in support of refugees and to address statelessness issues, I encourage them to fulfil all the commitments," said Triggs.
A stateless person is a person who is not recognised by any state as its national. Being a national of a state gives a person the right to access and exercise rights such as education, health, and work.
Triggs went to the Tongogara refugee camp as part of her visit, where nearly 15,000 refugees and asylum-seekers live. She met with UNHCR’s partners, local authorities and the camp management. There she also saw first-hand the few livelihoods projects being carried out to support the self-reliance of the people living in the camp.
"Access to livelihoods opportunities, skills development, education, health, safety and security including peaceful co-existence with the host community are contributing to a favourable protection environment. Besides, access to cash to facilitate their daily lives is fundamental for refugees to live in dignity. I'm pleased to see that the Government, together with partners and UNHCR in the country, are working on this," said Triggs.
Triggs thanked the Government for including refugees and asylum-seekers in the national COVID-19 response and related national vaccination plans. Refugees and asylum-seekers in the country have access to the health and education systems.
Triggs pointed out that, still, more needs to be done to improve the lives of refugees and asylum-seekers. For that, the international community's support is critical. She called out for more resources to support refugees living in the country and the communities hosting them.
While in the Tongogara refugee camp, Triggs had the opportunity to talk to a group of refugees, predominantly leaders in their community, and learn about their needs and situations.
For more information, contact:
Sonia Gonzalez, Associate Relations Officer, +263 787 135148, gonzalso@unhcr.org
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Press Release
24 January 2022
MEDIA ADVISORY | Zimbabwe’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review
GENEVA (21 January 2022) – Zimbabwe’s human rights record will be examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the third time on Wednesday, 26 January 2022 in a meeting that will be webcast live.
Zimbabwe is one of the States to be reviewed by the UPR Working Group during its upcoming session taking place from 24 January to 3 February *, which marks the end of the UPR third cycle. Zimbabwe’s first and second UPR reviews took place in October 2011 and November 2016, respectively.
The documents on which the reviews are based are: 1) national report - information provided by the State under review; 2) information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies, and other UN entities; 3) information provided by other stakeholders including national human rights institutions, regional organizations and civil society groups.
The three reports serving as the basis for the review of Zimbabwe on 26 January can be found here.
Location: Room 20, Palais des Nations, Geneva [NB: Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the meeting will be held using a combination of in-person and remote participation, and media representatives are encouraged to follow the proceedings on webcast.
Time and date: 09.00 – 12.30, Wednesday, 26 January 2022 (Geneva time, GMT +1 hour)
The UPR is a unique process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Since its first meeting was held in April 2008, all 193 UN member States have been reviewed twice within the first and second UPR cycles. During the third UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow-up on, as well as to highlight recent human rights developments in the country.
The delegation of Zimbabwe will be led by the Honourable Mr. Ziyambi Ziyambi, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Zimbabwe are: Namibia, Luxembourg and Armenia.
The webcast of the session will be at http://webtv.un.org
The list of speakers and all available statements to be delivered during the review of Zimbabwe will be posted on the UPR Extranet.
The UPR Working Group is scheduled to adopt the recommendations made to Zimbabwe at 15.00 on 28 January. The State under review may wish to express its positions on recommendations posed to it during their review.
* The UPR 40th session was originally scheduled to be held in November 2021, although was postponed due to COVID-19 measures.
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact Rolando Gómez, HRC Media Officer, at rolando.gomez@un.org, Matthew Brown, HRC Public Information Officer, at matthew.brown@un.org, or Pascal Sim, HRC Public Information Officer, at simp@un.org
To learn more about the Universal Periodic Review, visit: www.ohchr.org/hrc/upr
UN Human Rights Council, follow us on social media: Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram
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Press Release
12 January 2022
Casualties on Zimbabwe’s roads call for stronger political commitment, according to UN road safety review
(Harare, Zimbabwe, 12 January 2022) Zimbabwe’s road crash fatality rate increased from 1,836 in 2016 to an average of 2,000 deaths per year – over 5 deaths per day – from 2017 to 2019, according to the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ).
In reality, this figure may be over three times higher at some 7,000 road deaths per year, according to WHO estimates that also account for victims who die on the way, in hospital or after discharge. The annual crash death rate is expected to triple in the next ten years in the absence of concerted action and significantly increased commitment by all stakeholders, warns the United Nations Road Safety Performance Review of Zimbabwe, released today.
To address this national crisis and key development concern, the review provides the government with targeted recommendations for decisive action. “With the second United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 underway, Zimbabwe has the opportunity to head in the right direction to achieve the goal of halving road traffic crash fatalities and injuries by 2030. With increased political and financial commitments from all stakeholders, the country can turn this situation around, guided by the recommendations of this review”, said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Mr. Jean Todt.
Worldwide, 1.3 million people are killed every year from road crashes and over 50 million are injured, with Africa recording the highest fatality rates per million inhabitants.
“Among key measures, I urge the government of Zimbabwe to become contracting party to and fully implement the seven core United Nations Conventions on road safety, the African Road Safety Charter, and the African Pan African Trans-Highway Agreement”, added Mr. Todt. “Africa’s post-2020 strategic directions for road safety as well as the continent’s action plan for the period 2021-2030 are useful tools to address Zimbabwe’s road safety challenges as they are aligned with common challenges faced by African countries. Of course, the recommended actions in continental strategies and plans should be further tailored to Zimbabwe’s specificities”, said UN Under-Secretary- General and Executive Secretary of UNECA, Dr. Vera Songwe. “The private sector could also play an important role to curb deaths on Zimbabwe’s roads. This could be through involvement in operating vehicle inspection centres, upgrading roads to improve their safety, and financing road safety initiatives. Financing road safety provides clear opportunities for impact investments that would not only save lives but potentially generate economic returns”, Dr. Songwe stressed.
The review, requested by the Government of Zimbabwe, was conducted in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commissions for Europe (UNECE) and Africa (UNECA) with support from the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety. The review provides a detailed assessment of the road safety and management capacity situation in the country, and pinpoints concrete measures to save lives.
From safer infrastructure to addressing risky behaviour, system-wide efforts are needed
According to the Zimbabwe Road Conditions and Inventory Report in 2017, unsafe road infrastructure is a major issue, with 70% of the total road network in poor to mediocre condition, and merely 25% in good to very good condition.
Furthermore, the increase of 77% in the number of vehicles from 2010 to 2019 has not been accompanied by any meaningful road upgrade or maintenance of existing road infrastructure since independence in 1980. The review therefore recommends the adoption of a roads and maintenance improvement programme.
It also calls for the implementation of road safety audits and assessments, especially in urban areas, where ensuring the safety of vulnerable road users – pedestrians, cyclists and two-wheelers – is a particular priority. WHO reports that an estimated 2,000 pedestrians were killed by motor vehicles in Zimbabwe between 2013 and 2016, while an estimated 30,000 were injured.
The review points out that Zimbabwe currently does not have an up-to-date framework to monitor and evaluate road safety performance. Because of gaps and misclassifications in road safety data availability and accuracy, the review stresses the need to create an integrated and coordinated database as a priority to inform action. It also recommends road safety awareness programmes for road users in rural areas, targeting young road users.
The national traffic police in Zimbabwe requires equipment and technology to provide relevant metrics for measuring speed and alcohol or other substances to create data admissible at law. The national traffic police is constrained by limited funding as well as by inefficient database and information management systems. This means that cities and towns lack traffic enforcement and surveillance, making all urban road users highly vulnerable. Strengthening enforcement frameworks and practices with the review of legislation and standards, as well as benchmarking against regional and international good practices and United Nations conventions, are among priority interventions recommended by the review.
Robust institutions as a basis for safety
Zimbabwe’s legal framework offers a strong basis for road safety. However, its enforcement has come under increasing threat of ineffective practices. The review recommends strengthening the enforcement framework, resourcing, and dealing with corruption, through measures including the urgent development of a “whistle blowing” reporting system managed by enforcement agencies and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
Although the TSCZ represents the overall road authority to provide safety policies across local governments, road safety management has not been politically championed nor elevated to a human development concern. Strengthening the role of the lead agency, the championship by the TSCZ, the adoption of a national road safety strategy and a multisectoral action plan, including acceding to United Nations conventions, are among recommended priority interventions.
The review recommends amending the law to require vehicle inspection and certification of vehicle roadworthiness for all vehicles, in alignment with international and regional good practices.
Zimbabwe’s public health care and emergency care services face severe institutional, human resources, financing, and technical capacity constraints. Instead of stabilizing the number of deaths and mitigating the seriousness of injuries, the system is assisting only a fraction of those who have good chances of survival and recovery from serious injury. Thus, the review recommends establishing emergency medical services and emergency responses policy, laws, lead agency, and guidelines in line with WHO Guidelines, including a common 3-digit national emergency call number, as well as education for the public.
The review report is available HERE.
Note to editors
About the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety
Appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General in April 2015, the role of the Special Envoy for Road Safety is to promote a global partnership to support the design and implementation of strategies and activities to improve road safety; to advocate with governments, civil society and the private sector for the promotion of road safety, particularly in countries with high level of road fatalities and injuries; to participate in global and regional conferences and meetings on road safety; to advocate the accession to, and more effective implementation of, United Nations road safety legal instruments; and to generate adequate funding for advocacy efforts through strategic partnerships between the public, private and non-governmental sectors. The Special Envoy is supporting the RSPRs in Africa giving that it is one of the most affected regions.
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Media Contacts:
• Office of the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety: Priti.Gautam@un.org
• Office of the Executive Secretary of UNECA: Robert.Lisinge@un.org
• Office of the Zimbabwean Ministry: cliffgobs@gmail.com
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Press Release
25 November 2021
Spotlight Initiative delivers safe market, one stop centre to address gender-based violence
25 November 2021, Harare – the Government of Zimbabwe, the European Union, and the United Nations together with local authorities in the Epworth district launched a Safe Market and One Stop Centre as part of ongoing joint efforts to end violence against women and girls.
The opening of the Safe Market Space and the One Stop Centre coincided with the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence that will take place under a localized theme “End Violence Against Women Now: No to child marriages!”
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Deputy Minister Honourable Jennifer Mhlanga said, “Economic empowerment of women is integral to any sustainable approach to eradicating violence against women as studies show that women who control their own resources are less vulnerable to being victimized because of their gender.”
High levels of sexual and gender-based violence in Zimbabwe have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and the protracted national lockdowns. The COVID-19 crisis has also resulted in increased school dropouts, resulting in increased early marriages and a consequent alarming increase in teenage pregnancies.
The Safe Market Model facilitates women’s economic empowerment, leadership, and security within public spaces by advancing Zero Tolerance to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The safe market showcased in Epworth comprises 96 secure, well-lit stalls, children’s resting room and play area, separate female, and male ablution facilities, and clean water facilities.
Head of EU Development Cooperation Mr. Frank Porte said, “The EU fully aligns and supports Zimbabwe’s theme this year: “End violence against women and girls Now: No to child Marriage”. This constitutes a harmful practice that violates the rights of the child and robs children of their childhood and in most cases, results in increased poverty.”
The One Stop Centre addresses a number of challenges related to SGBV service access, by providing multi-sectoral services, including health, psychosocial, safety and security, and legal under one roof in a survivor cantered manner.
Noting that the two projects showcased and many other programmes across the country were supported by the joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim Dr Alex Gasasira thanked the Ministry of Women Affairs for their leadership, the European Union for the generous financial and technical commitment, and the civil society organizations and local authorities for their continued efforts and partnership.
Violence against women is not inevitable. The right policies and programmes bring results. That means comprehensive, long-term strategies that tackle the root causes of violence, protect the rights of women and girls, and promote strong and autonomous women’s rights movements.
These two projects opened today and many other programmes across the country, including the recently launched High Level Compact to end violence against women and girls are models that the United Nations has built through its partnership with the European Union, the Spotlight Initiative. Since the launch of the Spotlight Initiative in 2019, some 3.8 million beneficiaries, including 2.3 million women and girls, in Zimbabwe received various services.
Addressing Gender Based Violence has collateral benefits. Aside from improving women and girls’ general quality of life and access to social services, low levels of violence are also linked with increased economic opportunities and increased participation in the development of societies.
For more information and media queries please contact:
Lourdes Chamorro, EU Head of Political, Press and Information Section, Email: Lourdes.chamorro@eeas.europa.eu, +263 772 191 060
Sirak Gebrehiwot, UN Communications Specialist, Email: sirak.gebrehiwot@one.un.org, Mob# +263 772 198 036
Bertha Shoko, Communications Analyst—UNFPA, Email: shoko@unfpa.org, Mob# +263 772 782 299
Fanuel Chakawa, Communications and Advocacy Officer – MWACSMED, Email: fanuel.chax@gmail.com, Mobile# +263 772922908
Innocent Katsande, UN Women Communications, Email: innocent.katsande@unwomen.org; Mob# +263773282485
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Press Release
27 October 2021
Zimbabwe’s Spotlight Initiative launches High-Level Political Compact to end gender-based violence, harmful practices
27 October 2021, Harare – Today, the Government of Zimbabwe, the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, and the United Nations in Zimbabwe launched the High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) on Ending Gender-based Violence and Harmful Practices in Zimbabwe under the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls.
The HLPC launch and signing ceremony, presided over by His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, brought together various partners including Senior Government Officials, Head of EU Delegation and team, Development Partners, Heads of UN entities, representatives from traditional and religious leaders as well as Civil Society, to promote continued political commitment and engagement of leaders at the highest level to end violence against women and girls and harmful practices.
Of the 22 countries implementing the global joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, Zimbabwe becomes the first country to launch a High-Level Political Compact, showing an admirable effort to eliminate violence against women and girls and harmful practices.
Noting the Government of Zimbabwe’s strong commitment to ending gender-based violence and promoting gender equality and women empowerment, H.E. Emmerson Mnangagwa said, “Today, we recommit ourselves by making a declaration through the High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. As we do so, it is my conviction and hope that accelerated, adaptive and innovative implementation of global, regional and national commitments as outlined in the Action Plan of this HLPC will lead to our ultimate aspiration of a Gender Based Violence free society by 2030.”
The HLPC was developed as a strategic initiative for an effective response by the Government of Zimbabwe, in partnership with a range of key stakeholders and partners, towards the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls at the national and subnational levels.
Acknowledging positive steps taken by the Government of Zimbabwe under the Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls, EU Ambassador, His Excellency Timo Olkkonen said, “The Spotlight Initiative, entirely funded by the European Union, takes our commitments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and particularly SDG 5 on gender equality, to the next level. The High-Level Political Compact adopted today by Zimbabwe is the first of its kind among all the Spotlight Initiative implementing countries around the world. Gender-based violence has become a national emergency and I would like to congratulate His Excellency, the President, for boldly declaring it as one with this High-Level Compact.”
Gender-based violence and harmful practices, such as child marriages, continue to be a huge societal problem affecting women and girls of different socio-economic, cultural, and religious backgrounds, which infringes upon their ability to have a voice, choice, and control over their own lives.
The 2019 Zimbabwe Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) estimated that 39.4% of women in Zimbabwe aged 15-49 experience physical violence at least once in their lifetime, while 11.6% of women within the same demographic reported experiencing sexual violence. The same document also indicates that, in Zimbabwe, 1 in 3 women in the country between 20-49 were married before the age of 18.
In her address at the HLPC launch, the UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Maria Ribeiro commended the HLPC launched taken by the Government of Zimbabwe as a platform to foster political will and ensure adequate policy reform and resource prioritisation for national prevention and response to end violence against women and girls. “The HLPC can help to increase budget on gender-based violence prevention services, which is critical reduce the immense health, legal and productivity costs that the country continues to incur because of the scourge of violence against women and girls,” said the UN Resident Coordinator.
The HLPC, developed on the vision of a just society free from all forms of violence against women and girls, aims for increased high-level political will, commitment, and accountability to eliminate violence against women and girls, accelerate action to address violence against women and girls at the grassroots, subnational and national levels, as well as the effective monitoring and evaluation of the progress made towards ending these social ills.
The implementation of the HLPC under the Spotlight Initiative will advance gender equality and women empowerment, mainstreaming of women’s rights, foster multi-sectoral collaboration and grassroot engagement, including with private sector, and civil society in ending violence against women and girls in Zimbabwe. END
Note to the Editor:
The Spotlight Initiative is a global multi-year partnership initiated by the European Union and the United Nations, in partnership with Governments, to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030.
Launched in Zimbabwe in 2019, the implementation of the programme is led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator, in partnership with 6 UN agencies – namely ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN WOMEN, the European Union Delegation and civil society organizations.
With a funding commitment of USD30 million from the EU, the Spotlight Initiative in Zimbabwe is being implemented in five provinces across Zimbabwe, including Mashonaland Central, Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, and Matabeleland South under the following six pillars: Legislative and Policy Framework; Strengthening Institutions; Prevention and Social Norms; Delivery of Quality Services; Data Availability and Capacities, and Women’s Movement and Civil Society.
Media Contacts:
Fanuel Chakawa, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Communications Officer, E-mail: fanuel.chax@gmail.com, Mobile: +263 772 922 908
Lourdes Chamorro, European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, E-mail: Lourdes.chamorro@eeas.europa.eu , Mobile: +263 772 191 060
Sirak Gebrehiwot, UN Communications Specialist, E-mail: sirak.gebrehiwot@one.un.org,
Mobile: +263 772 198 036
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26 August 2021
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