Budget proposal lacks gender sensitivity, experts say
Providence Moyo
Stakeholders have expressed their desire for a more comprehensive and gender-sensitive budget, arguing that the one proposed by Professor Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance and Economic Development is deficient in addressing the various challenges faced by women, girls, and persons with disabilities.
This was revealed at the State of Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) conference hosted by Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD) held Monday and themed ‘Gender Responsive Public Resource Management.’
Representatives from Bulawayo City Council, CSO leaders, human rights activists and academics were in attendance as participants highlighted that women’s oppression will persist as long as different spectrums which should be addressed concurrently with vision 2030 remain unaddressed through the proposed budget.
During his analysis of the budget at the event, senior lecturer in Development Studies at Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Tobias Guzura said that under-allocations will make it difficult to combat deeper structural issues perpetuating Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“The allocation falls short of Zimbabwe’s regional standards to which it is a signatory. Although Zimbabwe has been recognized for its education sector within Africa. Only 17.75 percent has been allocated instead of an anticipated allocation of 20%, falling short by 2.25 percent. The under-allocation means marginalized communities’ access to education will still be problematic while excluding women and girls from participating in this sector due to long distances they must travel and disparities in resources affecting their economic capacity, further exacerbating their disadvantageous position within society. There is an urgent need to revive our education sector,” he said.
Professor Favourite Mpofu from Accounting Department at National University Of Science And Technology (NUST) concurred with Guzura adding that long distances between educational facilities expose young girls to sexual harassment leading to teenage pregnancies.
“Rural girls bear the brunt of underfunding within our education sector because they walk longer distances exposing themselves to sexual harassment committed by fellow age mates or road mafias for protection resulting in higher incidences of teenage pregnancy. SDG11 advocates for creation of strong resilient communities achievable only if both men and women have financial empowerment along with access into economic spaces but studies reveal females are less likely than males to gain entry into these areas hence prioritizing female development within budgets would lead toward holistic growth.”
Ward 17 Councillor Skhululekile Moyo challenged the budget proposal stating the lacklustre funding on gender issues makes it difficult for women caregivers who face strenuous expectations ultimately not achievable without adequate funding.
Disability inclusion activist, Tsepang Nare challenged proposed sugar taxes and passport price increments citing their implications on economic inclusion of the most vulnerable groups such as cross-border traders by further marginalising them.
source: Community Podium