The proposed 2026 National Budget for Zimbabwe, while acknowledging the need for gender equality, has been assessed as gender-aware but critically deficient in achieving a truly gender-transformative status.
Although the Gender Inclusive Budget Statement rightly allocates increased funds to sectors like health, education, and entrepreneurship for women, the progress remains insufficient when weighed against the harsh daily challenges faced by women and girls.
The primary flaw highlighted by the organization LEAD is the persistent gap in decision-making representation. The Budget notes that women constitute 51% of public sector workers, yet their presence at leadership levels remains at a mere 33%, significantly below the constitutionally mandated 50%.
A budget planned and approved predominantly by men cannot genuinely be termed gender-responsive.
Allocation Gaps and Systemic
ResistanceBeyond the allocation figures, the actual disbursement of funds reveals deeper systemic issues.
In 2025, crucial sectors like social protection received only 29% of their allocated funds, disproportionately affecting vulnerable rural and informal women.
Furthermore, funding for documentation services—essential for rural women’s access to rights and services—suffered a 23% decline.
Critically, gender mainstreaming programmes consistently receive the smallest share of support, signaling that gender equality is still treated as a peripheral concern rather than a central governance priority.
LEAD maintains that true gender-sensitive budgeting requires tangible action, not just rhetoric.
This must be grounded in:
* Enforceable Legislative Obligations compelling all ministries to genuinely mainstream gender.
* Guaranteed Full Disbursements for gender equality programmes.
* Achieving the 50% women’s representation target in all decision-making structures.
* Robust social protection funding targeting the most vulnerable.
* Investment in data systems to ensure monitoring and accountability.
The 2026 Budget acknowledges the systemic challenges—including the lack of sex-disaggregated data and deep-seated patriarchal resistance—proving that a strong legal and institutional framework is urgently needed to move Zimbabwe from awareness to genuine gender balance.
