Outcome ZWE_D_3.1

By 2026, all people in Zimbabwe, especially women and girls and those in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities, benefit from equitable and quality social services and protection. (UNSCDF Outcome 1)

In 2024, Zimbabwe achieved significant progress in its commitment to eradicate all forms of violence against women and girls. The government enacted the Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Act, which aligned the legal framework with the Constitution by outlawing child marriages and raising the legal age of consent to 18. Additionally, the Zimbabwe High Court's ruling in December 2024 legalized abortion in cases of marital rape and the rape of teenage girls, marking a notable advancement in women's reproductive rights. Despite these milestones, violence against women and girls remains a critical issue, exacerbated by the country’s multi-hazard context, including an El Niño-induced drought that added to existing vulnerabilities. UN Women played a pivotal role in combating gender-based violence through its HeForShe campaign, which engaged men and boys in promoting gender equality and challenging harmful social norms. The Country Office also collaborated closely with traditional leaders to influence cultural attitudes that perpetuate such violence. Additionally, awareness-raising activities during the 16 Days of Activism highlighted the issue of gender-based violence, and efforts were made to ensure that data is collected and used to inform policies and programs addressing this violence. These initiatives have collectively contributed to sustained momentum in the fight to end violence against women and girls in Zimbabwe.

By 2026, all people in Zimbabwe, especially women and girls and those in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities, benefit from equitable and quality social services and protection. (UNSCDF Outcome 1)

The government continued to show its commitment to ending violence against women in Zimbabwe. This was demonstrated through the continued implementation of the HLPC with several dialogues and convenings being held to build awareness amongst stakeholders. To ensure laws and policies are adopted to achieve gender equality, the Government of Zimbabwe formulated a National Gender Based Violence Strategy (2023 – 2030) which provides a guiding framework for the national prevention and response to GBV in Zimbabwe and a National Gender Policy. The Strategy is aligned with government priorities on eradication of GBV and was informed by and aligned with the HLPC. The CO and other partners facilitated creation of an enabling environment for increasing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) through supporting the MWACSMED to develop the National Gender Policy and the National GBV Strategy. The government of Zimbabwe took concrete steps to measure the gap in the status of men and women and report on progress made in meeting international and regional commitments on gender equality, as well as assessing the progress they made in implementing policies aimed at promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. An Africa Gender and Development Index (AGDI) for Zimbabwe constructed in 2023 will form part of the reporting and monitoring system for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, into the future. Although significant progress and efforts have been made towards the reduction and elimination of GBV and harmful practices, challenges remain including inadequate implementation of GBV related laws and policies due to weak accountability mechanisms, human and financial resources capacity constraints among GBV stakeholders and service providers, negative patriarchal values, attitudes and practices; inadequate funding of the GBV national response; weak coordination of the national GBV response; and limited awareness of GBV laws, rights and availability of services leading to poor help seeking behaviour.

By 2026, all people in Zimbabwe, especially women and girls and those in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities, benefit from equitable and quality social services and protection. (UNSCDF Outcome 1)

2025 was marked by a continued decline in the prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV). According to the 2023–24 ZDHS, the proportion of women aged 15–49 who reported experiencing physical violence since age 15 decreased to 27%, down from 35% in 2015 and 36% in 2005–06. While this reduction reflects gradual progress, it also underscores the persistence of harmful norms and discrimination that remain barriers to equitable access to services. UN Women has played a pivotal role in addressing these root barriers, beginning with the Spotlight Initiative and continuing through 2025 with sustained efforts to shift social norms and strengthen community-level accountability. The Country Office advanced systemic change by engaging men and boys through the HeForShe Initiative and mobilizing partners under the Generation Equality banner. These interventions fostered allyship, making public spaces safer, communities more responsive, and service-delivery systems more gender-sensitive. The involvement of high-profile male leaders, including the Canadian Ambassador, added institutional legitimacy and reinforced leadership modelling of positive masculinity an essential component of sustainable social protection systems. UN Women also invested in the creation of sustainable platforms and mechanisms to ensure long-term transformation. The establishment of HeForShe clubs, community dialogues, and ongoing awareness activities marked a shift from one-off events to systemic, community-owned structures. These platforms are critical for embedding gender equality into social norms and ensuring that communities themselves drive accountability for ending GBV.

By 2026, all people in Zimbabwe, especially women and girls and those in the most vulnerable and marginalised communities, benefit from equitable and quality social services and protection. (UNSCDF Outcome 1)

To ensure that women and girls survivors of Gender Based Violence have access to quality essential services, the CO popularised the referral pathways in communities through its consortiums working in 5 Spotlight Initiative provinces. The consortiums are using the social accountability mechanisms such as the Scorecard and they are demanding quality services from service providers operating in their provinces. To date, Implementing partners including Community Based orgainsations trained on Social Accountability met with the duty bearers and service providers within their areas and demanded change of attittude by service providers to clients especially by health personel. Some participated in local districts budgeting processes.