By Own Correspondent

Zimbabwean women remain underrepresented and face systemic barriers that hinder their full participation in society from the workplace to the political arena despite significant strides in some areas, gender disparities continue to persist, both globally and within Zimbabwe

Gender equality is widely recognized as a cornerstone of human development, with the United Nations (2023) stressing that it is not just a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. 

The Zimbabwean government has made notable strides in formalizing women’s rights over the past decade. A key achievement has been the inclusion of gender equality provisions in the country’s 2013 Constitution, which prohibits gender-based discrimination. Furthermore, the establishment of the National Gender Policy and Zimbabwe’s ratification of regional and international agreements on gender equality have laid the groundwork for women’s empowerment.

In 2023, gender equality was integrated as a cross-cutting theme in Zimbabwe’s national development strategy, further signaling the government’s commitment to addressing gender disparities. The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development plays a crucial role in advancing gender-equality initiatives, while the Zimbabwe Gender Commission monitors the progress of these efforts (World Bank, 2024; Government of Zimbabwe, 2024).

Zimbabwe has also made considerable progress in girls' education. Secondary school completion rates are nearly equal for both genders (71.7% for girls vs. 72.9% for boys), and women outperform men in adult literacy, with 91.2% of women being literate compared to 88.2% of men (World Bank, 2025). This achievement reflects a concerted effort by the government to ensure equal educational opportunities for both genders.