The Social Inclusion and Participation Project (SIPPP), sponsored by ZIMCODD in partnership with Community Voices Zimbabwe (CVZ), promotes financial literacy and gender-sensitive budgeting among youths.
Recently, CVZ held a community meeting in Zhombe Bhalamasvesve, commemorating the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by promoting a gender-inclusive budget. The meeting brought together community members, including women and youths, to discuss the importance of gender-sensitive budgeting in promoting economic empowerment and reducing GBV.
Partinella Ngozo, CVZ Programs Officer, emphasized that gender budgeting is crucial to achieve equality in resource allocation between men and women. In Zhombe, GBV is often linked to financial mismanagement and lack of accountability between partners. Men, mostly gold panners, earn a significant income but fail to provide for their families, leading to tensions and violence. Women, on the other hand, are often left to manage the household with limited financial resources, leading to borrowing and debt. As Partinella noted, “gender budgeting is not just about allocating resources, but about promoting equality and reducing poverty.”
The meeting also highlighted the importance of promoting financial literacy among youths. As Partinella emphasized, “youths are the future leaders, and it’s essential to equip them with financial literacy skills to promote economic empowerment and independence.” By promoting financial literacy and gender-sensitive budgeting, we can empower youths to make informed decisions about their economic lives and promote a more equitable society.
Empowering women to participate in budgeting decisions and gender processes is also crucial.
Alderman Emmanuel Sibanda Councillor for Ward Bhalamasvesve noted, “if women don’t participate in gender processes, they are shooting themselves in the foot.” Women’s participation in budgeting decisions can help ensure that their concerns are addressed and their rights protected. Moreover, promoting gender-sensitive budgeting can help reduce GBV and promote economic empowerment and independence among women.
Ultimately, promoting financial literacy and gender-sensitive budgeting is essential for promoting economic empowerment and reducing GBV. As Partinella emphasized, “gender budgeting is not just a tool for promoting equality, but a tool for promoting economic empowerment and reducing poverty.” By working together, we can create a more equitable society where women and men have equal access to resources and opportunities.