Speaking ahead of the 2012 National Budget statement to be presented on November 22, ZWRCN programme manager, Chipiwa Chifamba, said:
“Gender budgeting is a very technical area that needs experts. However, there are very few gender budgeting experts in the country and Zimbabwe relies on external experts. The analysis is minimal and the government’s capacity to integrate gender issues is inadequate.”
Chifamba said there was slow buy-in of gender budgeting in the government.
“Lack of gender-related data by Zimbabwe Statistics makes it even more difficult to access information that reflects how Zimbabwe incorporates gender-related issues in its budget allocation,” said Chifamba.
She also said, in Zimbabwe, no consultations with regards to gender related issues were done when the budget was being formulated.
“Lack of consultation when the budget was being formulated also contributes to a budget that is blind to the development of gender-related needs,” said Chifamba.
Speaking at the recently held SafAIDS Regional Summit held under the theme: “Turning the tide on Gender Based Violence, HIV and Culture in Southern Africa”, Chief Executive Officer for Gender Links, Colleen Lowe Morna, said the millenium development goals were gender-blind.
“Political will is essential in addressing the existing cultural and modern gaps within African societies,” she said. “Economic empowerment is the final straw in the revolution against gender-based violence. Gender equality should be in the constitution, just like it is in South Africa and Namibia.”
Post published in: News