People centred development policies bearing fruit

The multi-pronged and people-centred national development agenda has registered progress on the social front, which has seen Zimbabwe improve in the Human
Development Index rankings, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.

He said this while addressing delegates attending the 20th edition of
the International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South and
Triangular Co-operation in Population and Development in the resort town
of Victoria Falls on Monday.

The two-day conference will see several Partners in Population and
Development (PPD) member countries and organisations taking stock of the
progress that has been made around sexual reproductive health and rights
as well as population development issues over the past 30 years.

It will enable high-level officials to discuss and agree on the priority
actions to be taken ahead of the International Conference on Population
and Development (ICPD30) to be held in Zimbabwe next year.

President Mnangagwa said his administration is scaling up implementation
and promotion of sustainable economic growth, employment and wealth
creation towards accelerating national development, modernisation and
industrialisation, as government is determined to lift many out of
poverty into a higher quality of life.

“Guided by our National Vision and the National Development Strategy,
our country is on course to achieve an upper middle-income society by
2030, while also addressing the continental and global aspirations under
the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa Agenda 2063, respectively.

“Our robust policies have resulted in the sustained, inclusive and
equitable GDP growth; promotion of new enterprise development,
employment and job creation as well as robust climate change mitigation
and adaptation programmes.

“Increased investment in health, water, sanitation, education, energy,
roads, housing and other social amenities are impacting on the quality
of life of our people” he said.

He added that existing social safety nets such as the public health and
education assistance, drought relief, public works and input support
schemes for vulnerable families, small holder and communal farmers are
being continuously broadened.

The introduction and wide adoption of Pfumvudza/Intwasa Climate Proofed
Agriculture Program, among other comprehensive policy initiatives, has
seen the country realise national food and nutrition security.

“Leveraging on the increased access to quality and affordable education,
our country is ensuring that high literacy rates translate to an
enhanced quality of life of our people and the economy as a whole.
“Further, the introduction of our Heritage Based Education 5.0 Model is
fast transforming, industrialising and modernising our economy. Our
youth and learners are now equipped to produce goods and services,” said
President Mnangagwa.

He said Zimbabwe has made significant strides in implementing the goals
of the International Conference on Population and Development which has
seen the fertility rate steadily decline, while life expectancy at birth
has increased due to comprehensive and coordinated socio-economic and
healthcare interventions.

“Additionally, the decline in HIV and AIDS-related mortality rates owing
to the increased availability of Anti-Retroviral Treatment as well as
reduced mother-to-child HIV transmission has had positive impacts.

“Zimbabwe’s national Maternal Mortality Ratio is on a decreasing trend,
from 651 per 100 000 live births in 2015, to 362 per 100 000 live
births, in 2022,” he said

On gender equality and women empowerment, President Mnangagwa said
Zimbabwe is dedicated to achievement of gender equality and empowerment
of women.

He said the Constitution of Zimbabwe specifically prohibits
discrimination based on gender and outlaws all forms of Gender Based
Violence.

“My Government has made bold decisions to ensure the inclusion of women
in Parliament, Cabinet, local authorities as well as other decision
making entities across national institutions.

“The Constitutionally established Gender Commission is entrusted with
monitoring the effective implementation of gender-responsive laws and
policies,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe is a youthful nation where 67.7
percent of the population is below the age of 35 and the government is
ensuring that the youth play a pivotal role in the national development
agenda.

To this end, he said, the youth enjoy a Parliamentary quota with a
notable number having been appointed into Cabinet and within other
strategic national institutions while at a policy level, the National
Youth Policy provides a framework for creating an enabling environment
for stakeholders to implement youth development and empowerment programs
in a coordinated manner.

President Mnangagwa commended the Partners in Population and Development
and the United Nations Population Fund for selecting Zimbabwe to be the
host for the historic Conference next year.

New Ziana