Gendered and academic analysis of the impact of devolution on public services provision in Zimbabwe : a focus on enhancing access, quality and affordability for women and girls
Abstract
This study examines the impact of devolution on public service delivery in Zimbabwe, with a focus on the gendered dimensions of access, quality and affordability for women and girls.
Devolution, as enshrined in Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution, aims to promote equitable development and empower local communities through decentralised decision making and resource allocation. However, the impact of devolution on women and girls, who face systemic barriers such as gender inequality, unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW), and underrepresentation in leadership, remains uneven.
Through a qualitative and quantitative approach involving focus group discussions and key informant interviews across Zimbabwe’s provinces, this research reveals that while devolution has led to improvements in localised infrastructure development and community driven projects, significant gaps persist in addressing financial barriers, cultural norms and systemic inequalities that limit women and girls’ access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
The study highlights the ways in which cultural norms, societal expectations and the burden of UCDW have limited the potential of devolution to address the unique needs of women and girls, including their under representation in leadership and decision making processes.
The findings emphasise the need for gender- responsive policies, equitable resource allocation, and cultural transformation to ensure that devolution serves as a transformative instrument for overcoming the structural obstacles encountered by women and girls.
Recommendations are offered to strengthen the role of devolution in advancing gender equality and improving service delivery for women and girls in Zimbabwe, with a view to promoting inclusive and sustainable development that leaves no one behind.