Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is leading the validation programme for the 2024 Voluntary National Review (VNR) draft document, which reflects on Zimbabwe’s implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Zimbabwe is part of the global economy that adopted 17 SDGs in 2015 as a successor to the Millennium Development Goals, which mainly focus on alleviating poverty by 2030.
The 2024 VNR document prioritises the input of children in the implementation of SDGs, as part of efforts to ensure that no one is left behind.
Consultation meetings were conducted countrywide with stakeholders drawn from various ministries, departments and agencies, private sector, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, parliamentarians and churches, among others.
Matabeleland South held a consultative meeting to validate the 2024 VNR draft document on Monday.
In a speech read on his behalf by Matabeleland South provincial social development officer, Mr Criswell Nyakudya, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Simon Masanga, said a separate child-led chapter will be incorporated in the main VNR, to promote their involvement for the first time in the history of VNRs, to address issues of children’s rights.
“Government is conducting validation meetings in all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe in line with the country’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.
“We have noted limited participation by our children during consultations. In order to address this, we are coming up with a separate child led chapter to be incorporated in the main VNR, by the time we conclude validations
“As we speak, children are spearheading the process with the assistance of Government and partners.”
Deputy director responsible for SDGs in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Ms Sylocious Chakutura, said some of the issues raised by stakeholders from Matabeleland South include veld fires, alien invasive species, scaling up adoption of small grains, increase in human and wildlife conflict, which affect agricultural activities.
“Following the consultation workshops, we are now conducting the Voluntary National Review validation workshops. We have come up with a draft document and now we want to get the input of stakeholders, on whether the contents of the draft are a true reflection of what was raised during the consultative process,” she said.
“This document is of national importance as it tracks progress on SDGs implementation in Zimbabwe, the challenges, opportunities and accelerated strategies that will be implemented to accelerate the implementation of SDGs in Zimbabwe. Information collected will help us to improve our policies.”
Ms Chakutura said validation workshops will be concluded by April 16 and input from all provinces will then be incorporated into the VNR document.
In a speech read on her behalf, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, said there is a need to revive industries in the province to address some of the SDGs.
She said implementation of SDGs has been affected by pandemics, climate change and global conflicts, hence the need for accelerated action from various stakeholders in order to attain the 2030 Agenda.
“Matabeleland South is well known for its mining activities, cattle ranching and being an entry point for trading through the major country borders, Beitbridge and Plumtree. It’s also known for amacimbi,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“There is a need to resuscitate and revive industry, as this remains key to the province as a strategy to address most of the SDGs such as the SDG1 on poverty, SDG2 on zero hunger and SDG8 on economic growth.”
The Government has embarked on a process to produce the third VNR on SDGs, aimed at reviewing progress made in implementing the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063, sharing experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learnt, in the implementation of Agenda 2030 and attainment of sustainable development goals.
Zimbabwe conducted two VNRs in 2017 and 2021 respectively and a progress review was given in 2020.
VNRs allow the nation to take stock of SDGs implementation, progress, identity gaps, opportunities as well as challenges.
The key findings of the review will be presented at a high level political forum in New York, in July 2024, by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, July Moyo. — @DubeMatutu
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