Despite years of policy reforms and gender-focused programming, deep structural inequalities continue to shape health outcomes for women and girls in Zimbabwe, according to findings contained in the Zimbabwe Population and Housing Census Gender Thematic Report.
The report notes that while legislative and institutional frameworks have expanded, “gender disparities remain evident across key socio-economic and health indicators,” particularly in rural provinces and among adolescent girls.
On maternal health, the report highlights progress in service coverage but cautions that access does not always translate into outcomes. It states that “although institutional deliveries have increased over time, maternal mortality remains unacceptably high,” pointing to persistent gaps in emergency obstetric care, transport systems and rural health infrastructure.
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Adolescent vulnerability also features prominently.
The report warns that “early marriage and teenage childbearing continue to affect girls disproportionately,” with long-term consequences for educational attainment, income prospects and health risks. It further notes that girls in some provinces face “heightened exposure to sexual violence and harmful cultural practices,” reinforcing cycles of poverty and dependency.
Economic participation presents another stark imbalance. According to the report, women are “overrepresented in unpaid care work and informal employment,” limiting their access to social protection and stable incomes. Female-headed households, while increasingly common, are more likely to experience economic strain.
While government has aligned gender policy with constitutional provisions and international frameworks, the report stresses that “implementation gaps, limited financing and weak monitoring mechanisms” undermine impact at community level.
The data ultimately suggests that Zimbabwe’s gender strategy challenge is no longer policy design, but execution. Without measurable targets, adequate funding and enforceable accountability, the report implies that constitutional equality risks remaining aspirational rather than transformative.
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