Women empowerment initiatives in Zimbabwe

Empowering women to participate fully in economic activities is essential in building stronger economies, and improving the quality of life for women, men, and communities as a whole. The Government through, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, has set up many initiatives which are being implemented to ensure the empowerment of women. 

angle-left New Voices, New Faces

New Voices, New Faces

New Faces, New Voices together with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) commissioned a gender-focused insight after the implementation of National Financial Inclusion Strategy. The main objective of the study was to provide an in-depth analysis that was to support the formulation of policies and private sector strategy for women financial inclusion. The report described the landscape and levels of women access to financial products and services both the formal and informal was launched.  

Prior to the gender perspective analysis by Finscope, earlier studies by Finscope in 2012 and a consumer survey in 2014 has revealed that 23% of the Zimbabwe adult population was financially excluded and only 30% of the Zimbabwe adult population made use of the banking services then. From the same report 24% of MSME owners were banked and only 1% of the adult population made use of capital market services. Additionally, the World Bank Consumer protection and Financial literacy Diagnostic Review of 2014 revealed low financial literacy despite Zimbabwe having a high rate of general literacy.

About the program
In 2016 the government of Zimbabwe cognizant of the significant contribution of an inclusive financial sector to   the socioeconomic development of the country launched the National Financial Inclusion strategy.  Which evolves around four pillars namely financial innovation, financial capability financial consumer protection and microfinance.

New Faces, New Voices in partnership with the Central Bank of Zimbabwe have been working on the implementation of the National Financial Inclusion strategy in Zimbabwe. Focusing mostly on the banking sector to develop women friendly products tailored for the needs of women as well as establishment of Women Desks in each bank. In support of this the Central Bank availed a 15 million Women Empowerment Facility for use by all women through the banks.

Physical coverage

Country wide 

List of services provided by the program

1.  The Advocacy Program focuses on Commercial Banks
a.  The Reserve Bank has availed a Women Fund to the tune of 15 million for supporting women inclusion programs through the commercial banks
b.  Sector covers all banks and women and adult girls across Zimbabwe
2.  New Faces New Voices  convenes quarterly hold round-table meetings to discuss uptake
-   The Programs brings women leaders, Central Banks and Women Bodies Representative
3.  In line with the New Faces New Voices Mandate which is to increase and profile number of women in decision making
-   11 Women from across the financial sector were registered for an online mentorship program
4.  Advocating policy changes to include women financial inclusion

Results 
All Commercial Banks in the country have developed Women Friendly products and have established women desks

Contact details
New Voices, New Faces 
Sylvia Markova
148 Swan Drive Borrowdale, Harare Zimbabwe
+263 772 310 796