Ayesha Nyanzunda
Doha, Qatar — President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressed the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, emphasizing Zimbabwe’s commitment to poverty eradication, productive employment, and social inclusion while calling for reform of the global system to support sustainable development.
The President highlighted that over one billion people worldwide still live in multi-dimensional poverty and stressed the urgent need for a global compact that turns rhetoric into action and resources. He outlined Zimbabwe’s national efforts, noting that poverty levels have dropped from 62% in 1995 to 38.3% in 2019, primary school enrollment is at 88%, adult literacy at 93.6%, and life expectancy at 64.7 years. Programs like the Basic Education Assistance Module and Health Assistance Fund were cited as examples of social development in action.
On employment, President Mnangagwa emphasized the government’s focus on decent work, enterprise development, and youth and women’s empowerment, citing the National Employment Policy Framework and Zimbabwe’s participation in the ILO Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection. Unemployment now stands at 20.5%, down from over 30% in the mid-1990s.
Regarding social inclusion, he highlighted efforts to empower women, youth, and persons with disabilities through policies, financial support programs such as the Women’s Bank and Youth Empowerment Bank, and the Education 5.0 Model promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.