Outcome ZWE_O_2

UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications, and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate.

In 2025, UN Women Zimbabwe made significant strides in leveraging and expanding its partnerships, communications, and advocacy capabilities to advance the gender equality agenda while securing sustainable resourcing for its mandate. A turning point came with the high-level visit of the UN Women Executive Board, led by Ambassador Nicola Clase of Sweden, which reaffirmed global confidence in UN Women’s leadership and showcased Zimbabwe’s progress in legal and policy reforms. President Mnangagwa emphasized gender equality as both a fundamental right and a driver of national growth, further strengthening the national commitment. During the visit, Zimbabwe’s progressive frameworks—including the National Gender Policy (2025), the National GBV Strategy (2023–2030), and the Women in Leadership Strategy (2023–2030)—were highlighted as evidence of institutionalizing gender equality, with UN Women providing technical and financial support in their development. Programmatically, the Country Office scaled up initiatives to end violence against women and girls, expanded survivor-centered services, and intensified advocacy against political violence. Efforts to increase women’s leadership and political participation were strengthened by addressing structural barriers and supporting quotas at both national and local levels. Economic empowerment programs also grew, targeting women in agriculture, informal markets, and entrepreneurship, while integrating gender-responsive climate resilience. These achievements were underpinned by strengthened partnerships with government ministries, civil society, and international donors. The Executive Board’s visit secured renewed donor pledges, while resource mobilization efforts led to agreements with the EU and Swiss government and an extension with Irish Aid, reinforcing UN Women’s convening power and credibility. Advocacy and communications were equally impactful. Campaigns on X (Twitter) amplified messaging against violence in politics and promoted women’s rights protections, while global media engagement during the Executive Board’s visit positioned Zimbabwe as a case study in resilience and reform. Despite risks such as persistent underrepresentation of women in competitive politics, funding gaps, and widespread GBV, opportunities emerged through strong new policy frameworks, donor commitments, and heightened global visibility. Overall, the Country Office successfully leveraged recognition, strengthened frameworks, expanded programmatic impact, and mobilized resources, positioning Zimbabwe as a regional leader in women’s empowerment and advancing UN Women’s mandate with renewed momentum.

UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications, and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate.

The CO enhanced its strategic influence on government messaging and commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment across multiple sectors. The CO provided targeted technical and policy support to key government entities, including the Ministry of Women Affairs, Parliament, the Zimbabwe electoral Commission, and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, strengthening institutional capacity to advance gender-responsive policies and initiatives. In collaboration with embassies, media institutions, women’s rights organizations, and private sector stakeholders, the CO successfully implemented gender equality programs and communicated key gender equality messages. These efforts reached diverse audiences across various sectors, leveraging partnerships to amplify advocacy efforts. Through strategic advocacy process such as the CSO and Beijing+30 processes, the CO directly engaged over 150 delegates, fostering dialogue and commitment to gender equality. Additionally, the CO organized and participated in high-profile events, including International Women’s Day, International Rural Women’s Day, and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaigns. These events highlighted critical gender-based violence (GBV) issues and strengthened public awareness. To further increase public knowledge and sectoral awareness of gender equality and GBV, the CO spearheaded multimedia campaigns and exhibitions, including its presence at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. These initiatives focused on promoting support for gender equality, as well as enhancing safety and security for women and girls in the home, public spaces, and during elections. These efforts significantly advanced advocacy and raised awareness of gender equality priorities in Zimbabwe.

UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications, and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate.

During the reporting period, UN Women ensured implementation of recommendations from audit and complied with Business continuity plans. Further, the CO submitted all financial donor reports on time, implemented all regular resources and 91% of other resources due to some partner advances that were not yet acquitted. Through hosting Press visits to project sites, Joint Media Workshops with United Nations Communications Group (UNCG) on development reporting and CO trainings on development and gender sensitive reporting, the number of journalists reporting on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) issues increased leading to increased mentions on mainstream media and surpassing the set target.

UN-Women effectively leverages and expands its partnerships, communications, and advocacy capabilities to increase support for and financing of the gender equality agenda, while securing sustainable resourcing for the delivery of its own mandate.

The CO increased its influence on government messaging and commitments on Gender equality and women economic empowerment across sectors. Advising and providing technical and policy support to government departments such as Ministry of women affairs, Agriculture, Parliament, National Peace and Reconciliation Commission and the Gender Commission. The CO partnered with Embassies, Media institutions, women’s rights organizations, and the private sector in communicating gender equality messages reaching multiple targets across sectors. Leveraging on Partnership and communications, increased advocacy for gender equality was achieved through platforms such as CSW reaching over 100 international delegates. The International Women’s Day, International Rural Women’s Day, and 16 Days of Activism Campaigns. Further, the CO increased public knowledge and awareness of gender equality across sectors and gender-based violence in the home, in public and during elections through coordinating and Championing multimedia Campaigns and Exhibitions focused on increasing support for gender equality, safety and security women and girls.