Online Reporter
Peter Matika, [email protected]
SENATE President Mabel Chinomona has urged the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to urgently address gender imbalance within its advisory structures, warning that the exclusion of women from key economic decision-making roles risks undermining efforts towards inclusive national development.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the National 2026 Pre-Budget Seminar held in Bulawayo over the weekend, Senator Chinomona said the absence of female advisors around Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube had become a glaring concern among stakeholders advocating for gender equity in policymaking.
She noted that women’s voices were missing from crucial economic discussions — despite the fact that they constitute the majority of Zimbabwe’s informal economy, small business sector and rural workforce.
“I have observed that your advisors are predominantly male. This raises the question: who is advising you on the critical economic issues affecting women?” she asked, directing her remarks to Prof Ncube.
“This composition may be unintended, but it risks limiting the diversity of perspectives essential for inclusive economic policy formulation.”
Sen Chinomona called on the minister to appoint women to his advisory team to ensure that national economic strategies effectively respond to gendered realities across all sectors.
She emphasised that women are central to the country’s economic activity — from agriculture and trade to finance and innovation — yet their lived experiences remain underrepresented in high-level policy decisions.
As part of gender-responsive planning, Sen Chinomona urged the Finance Ministry and other Government departments to prioritise infrastructure that supports rural women, particularly subsistence farmers who sustain urban food supply chains.
“These women form the backbone of our agricultural supply chain. By equipping them with essential infrastructure, we uplift their livelihoods and strengthen national self-reliance,” she said.
Sen Chinomona highlighted the need for reliable roads, electricity and sustainable water systems, including the harvesting of river water during the rainy season.
Turning to committee submissions at the seminar, Sen Chinomona said all Portfolio Committees had presented priority areas informed by citizens’ concerns, reflecting both the diversity and shared aspirations of the nation in line with Vision 2030.
The submissions underscored the need for increased investment across critical sectors — health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, energy and social protection — while also highlighting persistent challenges such as limited domestic resource mobilisation, climate change pressures and the leakage of medicines from public hospitals.
Sen Chinomona expressed concern over the continued shortage of essential medicines in rural facilities, particularly when private pharmacies remain well stocked.
“It is imperative that NatPharm procures a significant proportion of our pharmaceutical needs locally,” she said, adding that pilferage in public hospitals must be curbed through stronger accountability measures and deterrent sanctions, including dismissal for offenders.
Sen Chinomona reminded Treasury of its constitutional obligation to honour Parliament’s oversight role, particularly through full and timely disbursements as outlined in the Appropriation Act.
“In this regard, the Appropriation Act must, therefore, not be treated as an optional guide, but as the authoritative expression of the people’s will. It is, therefore, essential that the Treasury respects and upholds that mandate through full and timely disbursements to all ministries, departments, agencies and Parliament itself,” she said.
