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209 Chapter 6 Gender 6.1 Introduction Over the years, policies implemented by the government have to a large extent failed to respond sufficiently to the needs and responsibilities of women, hence the persistence of gender inequality and inequity. Many of the policy responses have been poorly implemented for various reasons, which include capacity deficits , inadequate budget allocations and poor infrastructure. Furthermore, economic policy strategies adopted since 1980 have failed to address the inherited enclave and dual structure of the economy, which has strong gender dimensions with women being particularly disadvantaged.1 As a result, several key indicators show that women have been, and continue to be, disproportionately affected by the thrust of policy strategies adopted by government that have not taken into account their needs, roles and responsibilities. Empirical evidence compiled by the Southern African Regional Institute for Policy Studies (SARIPS, 2000) suggests that Zimbabwe was ranked sixth in the Southern Africa Development Council (SADC) region for high gender inequalities. The Gender-related Development Index (GDI) for Zimbabwe of 0.47 implies that men receive higher income, have better access to education, and have a longer life expectancy than women. The Poverty Assessment Study Survey (PASS) of 2003 found that the incidence of poverty was higher in female-headed households than in male-headed households, with levels of poverty of 72 per cent and 58 per cent, respectively (Zimbabwe, 2006a). Since 1998, the Human Development Index (HDI) for females has always been lower than males; for example, in 2003, the HDI for males was 0.429 and 0.373 for females.2 One of the reasons given for the persistent low HDI for females is that gender equality goes beyond simply empowerment and encompasses issues of social justice, culture and discrimination (ZWRCN and SARDC–WIDSAA, 2005). Furthermore, the crisis that started in earnest in 1997 further entrenched women’s poverty as women resorted to survival strategies that involved multiple jobbing and their participation in risky and illegal activities on 1 Women are disadvantaged in the sense that issues of direct concern such as land, education, income, food security, health care, and participation in decision-making and the economy have not been addressed; as a result they find it difficult to sustain their livelihoods. Women have been marginalized as critical agents in these processes. 2 HDI is a measure of well-being incorporating poverty, literacy, education, life expectancy and other factors. It is considered to be a good tool for measuring development as it takes into account both economic and social indicators. Chapter 6 210 the parallel market. In fact, there has not only been a feminization of poverty but also of responsibilities and obligations. This neglect of women’s needs and roles in the formulation of economic policy strategies persists, despite the fact that women make up about 52 per cent of Zimbabwe’s population. Nevertheless, it should be noted that Zimbabwean women have always known what they wanted, which is what motivated them to join the liberation struggle in the first place (Chirimuuta, 2006). Over the years, they have not remained passive: several women’s groups, organizations and initiatives have been set up by women themselves, especially during the economic crisis: the Indigenous Business Women’s Organization; Women in Business and Skills Development in Zimbabwe; the Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network (ZWRCN); Women in Law and Development in Africa; Women’s Action Group; the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association; the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe; and others. They have played an active role in advocating and lobbying for women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe. Hence, the rise of the women’s movement was critical as a vehicle that would drive the women’s agenda and organize the women’s voice in the political, social and economic processes that continue to unfold in today’s Zimbabwe (ibid.). The primary objective of this chapter is to inform and influence the formulation of alternative policies that address the gender trauma characterizing Zimbabwean society. It begins by highlighting the impact of the different policies on gender equity since 1980. This analysis will be conducted in a holistic manner that ultimately seeks to draw conclusions about why Zimbabwean women have remained significantly marginalized in policy formulation, implementation and management, despite socio-economic policy and legal reforms formulated since the country’s independence. Given that addressing gender issues holistically can be very broad, this chapter pays critical attention to the strategic areas most Box 6.1: The rise of women...

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