Zim: Intensifying gender inclusive Local Economic Dev.

9 June, Harare: Gender Links Zimbabwe (GLZ) in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works (MLGPW) is implementing the Promoting Gender Inclusive Local Economic Development programme in 12 local authorities in Zimbabwe. The project seeks to enhance and sustain LED initiative through the Centres of Excellence (COE) for Gender in Local Government “hub and spoke” programme.

The Promoting Gender Inclusive Local Economic Development programme is hinged on the successes and lessons learnt from the COE programme implemented over the last 12 years. The COE programme was subsequently declared the “programme of choice” for gender mainstreaming by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.

The Local Economic Development programme is anchored on Gender Links’ economic justice pillar of wealth creation.  GLZ seeks to achieve impact through the creation of gender-responsive and inclusive local economic development plans in 12 COEs. The programme focuses on five thematic areas including arts and crafts, clean energy, health and sanitation, horticulture, and waste management.  The programme will focus on entrepreneurship training and infrastructure development ensuring that women and youth have access to local economic opportunities including access to finance, markets, and learning and sharing platforms. It also seeks to build the capacity of the 12 local authorities to ensure that they support women-owned enterprises on procurement processes.

Policy formulation and implementation is vital to reducing poverty and enhancing livelihoods through inclusive local economic development. The programme responds to national priorities that contribute to Zimbabwe Vison 2030 which aims to foster inclusive economic growth and address poverty by 2030; National Development Strategy 1 (2021 to 2025) whose overarching goal is to ensure high, accelerated, inclusive and sustainable economic growth; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Policy 2020-2024 which addresses among others the restrictive regulatory environment; and the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) which has placed a special focus on the country’s most vulnerable groups which include women and youths.

This LED programme will help to transform livelihoods, institutions, and communities.

For more information  and media interviews on the programme contact Priscilla Maposa on  zimmanager@genderlinks.org.za /+263772735722.