- Switzerland, through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is significantly supporting a new joint programme in Zimbabwe.
- The initiative, titled “Sustaining the Gains: Strengthening Accountability to Gender Equality and Women’s Rights in Zimbabwe,” launched with its inaugural National Steering Committee meeting on April 2.
- With a total budget of US$4.5 million, Switzerland is a key partner contributing US$2 million alongside the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN).
- The programme aims to embed women’s rights at the core of governance and public finance, building on the achievements of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative.
Zimbabwe’s Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, highlighted that gender equality is not just a moral and social imperative but also an economic one, with women being central to the nation’s economy. The Swiss Ambassador, Stéphane Rey, emphasized that gender equality and women’s empowerment are ‘non-negotiable’ and represent a strategic investment in long-term systemic change. The program will focus on strengthening gender-responsive governance, improving accountability, and securing sustainable financing for gender equality.
This support comes as an effort to close the gap between policy and practice in gender equality. Switzerland’s approach integrates gender equality across all programs while also backing targeted initiatives that prioritize women’s rights. The initiative directly aligns with Zimbabwe’s High-Level Political Compact on ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and harmful practices, demonstrating a shared commitment to moving from policy to tangible action.
Timeline
- **April 2, 2026:** Inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee for the new gender program in Zimbabwe.
- **April 13, 2026:** Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) officially announces its significant support for the gender equality and women’s rights program.
Key Players
- **Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC):** Key financial supporter of the new programme.
- **Hon. Senator Monica Mutsvangwa:** Zimbabwe’s Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
- **Ambassador Stéphane Rey:** Swiss Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi.
- **European Union (EU):** Partner and contributor to the program.
- **United Nations (UN) Agencies (UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP):** Implementing partners for the program.
