Source: UN pledges continued support for Zimbabwe | The Financial Gazette September 20, 2017
Bishow Parajuli is UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Zimbabwe
THE United Nations has pledged continued commitment and support for Zimbabwe’s national development priorities articulated under the 2016-2020 Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF).
Through ZUNDAF, the UN supports poverty reduction, good governance and gender equality; while enhancing service delivery in education, health, water and sanitation, protection, and food and nutrition security.
When Zimbabwe was faced with two consecutive years of severe drought (2015-2016), the United Nations heeded the Government of Zimbabwe’s call for assistance.
“Throughout its humanitarian, as with its development work, the United Nations has been guided by the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. Owing to the successful concerted efforts, the country’s focus has now been re-balanced to medium to long term development in line with its development agenda and the SDGs. The UN is following suite,” the UN said in a statement.
Together with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and other partners, the UN is supporting national efforts to combat new HIV infections and renewed efforts at eradicating TB and malaria, through a continued emphasis on education and prevention efforts, while providing treatment, care and support.
“In response to national programmes to improve food and nutrition security at national and household levels, the UN is supporting the Government in formulating relevant policies to guide agricultural growth, forestry and fisheries management and more effective use of land resources; implementing field programmes to increase agricultural production and competitiveness and to reduce malnutrition; and productivity; and building resilience through promotion of climate smart agriculture and providing food assistance for asset creation and maintenance,” the world body added.
Efforts are ongoing to promote gender empowerment and equity by addressing the fundamental problems that underlie women’s limited representation in national decision making bodies, access and ownership over productive resources, early pregnancy, child marriages, concerns around gender-based violence, and unacceptable high maternal mortality ratio.
ZUNDAF has been instrumental in complementing national efforts to stabilise and sustain the provision of social services of health, education, water and sanitation, protection and promotion of human rights.
“To build a solid foundation for a prosperous and stable society, a national resilience framework has been developed and resilience programmes have been rolled out to improve disaster risk management, and provide vulnerable communities with income generating opportunities (both on and off farm), markets and value chains, services delivery and community-based natural resources management.”
The UN has been providing support in the areas of skills development and the promotion of decent work for all, including young people with an overall objective of nurturing a productive, skilled and competitive labour force. A national employment policy framework will play a critical role to coordinate and support livelihoods and job creation initiatives in key sectors of the economy.
These investments in health, education and skills development are helping Zimbabwe harness the demographic dividend, a window of opportunity that is currently open.
“Going forward, there is need for doubling efforts on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, achieving standard class size and proportion of pupil to teacher ratio as well as enhancing water and sanitation facilities to ensure the wellbeing of children, particularly the girl child. Furthermore, strengthening of citizen participation in the democratic process, and promotion of human rights,” said the UN.
“Achieving quality education for all and investing in skills development of young people is a prerequisite for productive and sustainable jobs. Without quality, affordable and accessible education and requisite skills development, development goals risk remaining just that – goals.
“With the reopening of the schools and as the country gears towards the 2018 harmonised national elections, there is need by all stakeholders to carry out their responsibility to sustain service delivery and ensure that schools remain safe spaces, free of violence and political activities, so that children can learn, grow, and develop to their fullest potential.”
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