Multilingual education promotes cultural diversity, development

By Byron Mutingwende   Multilingual education stands out as one way of promoting sustainable development and cultural diversity, it has emerged.   Speaking at a discussion forum held at the United Nations Information Centre in Harare Wednesday, 22 February 2017, Professor Hubert Gijzen, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Regional Director of…

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Inclusive conservation of natural resources critical: TIZ

The inclusive conservation of natural resources, including REDD+ Projects should be implemented in an inclusive and transparent manner, with respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities and with consideration for the protection of biodiversity, Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) has said   “The lack of community engagement, inclusion and access to information is…

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Mobilise youths’ voices in achieving SDGs: Parajuli

By Byron Mutingwende   Zimbabwe’s United Nations Resident Coordinator, Bishow Parajuli has said that it is important to mobilise the voices of the youths who should play an active role in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Parajuli made the remarks at Junior Chamber International’s (JCI) 2017 Go4Gold Opening Night Ceremony event held…

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Zimbabwe failing to break endemic cycle of corruption in the public sector

By Byron Mutingwende   Results from the 2016 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) placed Zimbabwe among the countries that scored below 50, on a scale from 0 (perceived to be highly corrupt) to 100 (perceived to be very clean), exposing the predominance of massive and pervasive public sector corruption.   This year, Zimbabwe moved one step…

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A vibrant health system keeps the doctor away

By Byron Mutingwende   A vibrant health system characterised by proper nutrition, antenatal care and vaccination will decongest hospitals and stimulate economic growth, it has been established.   David Okello, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Director for Zimbabwe made the remarks on the launch of the National Health Strategy held at Murewa District Hospital…

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Calls for legislating gender budgeting gather traction

By Byron Mutingwende   Women have described efforts towards the establishment of a gender sensitive fiscal policy measures espoused in the 2017 National Budget as piecemeal and have called a mechanism to legislate gender budgeting.   Speaking at a dialogue meeting organised with stakeholders to discuss the extent to which government has embraced gender-responsive budgeting…

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New ZLHR headquarters welcomed by human rights defenders

By Byron Mutingwende   Scores of people, particularly human rights activists, have welcomed the opening of the new headquarters of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) offices.   Promise Mkwananzi, the Spokesperson of Tajamuka – a protest movement calling for transparency and accountability from the leaders of the country and the resignation of President…

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Corruption rampant within the informal sector

By Byron Mutingwende   Corruption remains high in the informal sector despite spirited efforts by Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) to address the vice. Cross-border traders said on Friday 2 December 2016 that there is rampant corruption at the borders, especially following the enactment of the Statutory Instrument (SI) 64 of 2016. One cross border asked…

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Church leaders condemn child marriage

By Byron Mutingwende Members of the clergy who represent inter-denominational leaders from churches in Zimbabwe have condemned child marriage. The religious leaders revealed that when they converged at Holiday Inn Hotel in Harare on 28 November 2016 for the Inter-denominational Dialogue on Child Marriages in Zimbabwe, facilitated by Plan International Zimbabwe. “As church leaders, we…

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Parliamentarians play crucial role in curbing corruption

By Byron Mutingwende   Parliamentarians play a crucial role in curbing corruption through creating legislation that enhances access to justice and fair distribution of resources. The Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC), a unit of Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) led by its Team Leader, Danai Mabuto engaged the Parliamentarians at a half day training workshop…

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Environment protection project improves livelihoods in Runde Catchment area

By Byron Mutingwende   The Integrated Soil-Water Conservation and Livestock Management in the Runde Catchment area has been hailed for improving the livelihoods of the people.   The environmental protection and monitoring project resulted in the improvement of the livelihoods of the population in 97 wards of Mwenezi, Chivi, Masvingo, Zaka and Bikita districts.  …

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Multi-stakeholder collaboration addressing severe effects of drought

By Byron Mutingwende   The coordinated multi-stakeholder response to the severe effects of drought has gone a long way in reducing the vulnerability of both rural and urban dwellers grappling with food shortages and challenges of malnutrition.   The El Nino – induced drought has led to a serious surge in food insecurity and hunger…

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Government must urgently address health issues to meet SDGs

By Byron Mutingwende   Health is a basic fundamental human right recognised under the global development agenda as one of the crucial priorities that governments must address.   Speaking at a meeting on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), John Ngirazi, the Executive Chairperson of the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH)said that the health sector…

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Sustainable development espouses inclusivity: An SDGs perspective

By Byron Mutingwende   Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs it has emerged.   “Sustainable development calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for the people and the planet. For sustainable development to…

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Child marriage amongst impediments to economic growth: UNFPA

By Byron Mutingwende   Forced marriage, child labour, female genital mutilation and other practices undermining girls’ health and rights threaten the world’s ambitious development agenda, warns the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in The State of World Population 2016, released recently.   According to UNFPA Zimbabwe, in the country, child marriage is rife with one…

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Clear trade policy direction enhances sustainable economic development

By Byron Mutingwende   Stakeholders have been urged to craft a clear trade policy direction that will enhance sustainable economic development to extricate Zimbabwe from its myriad of challenges.   This emerged at the State of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) Dialogue meeting organised by the Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI)…

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Partnerships, community engagement spur the realisation of SDGs

By Byron Mutingwende   The government involvement and commitment to the United Nations systems coupled with the support of the development partners, civil society organisations, national associations, the media and community leaders and members will lead to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In his statement on the occasion of the 71st Anniversary…

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Government involvement in REDD+ music to the ears

By Byron Mutingwende The involvement of the government in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) will complement efforts by the private sector players and non-governmental organisations in bringing tangible benefits to communities. Speaking at a meeting to assess the potential impact of government involvement in REDD+ in Harare yesterday, Chief…

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Informal sector rise, unemployment harmful to the economy: Yu

By Byron Mutingwende The growing rate informalistion of jobs and unemployment has a negative impact on the economy, a senior United Nations official has said. Speaking at the occasion to launch the Population Census Thematic Reports at Holiday Inn Hotel in Harare Tuesday, Yu Yu, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Zimbabwe Deputy Representative said bemoaned…

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By Byron Mutingwende Zimbabwean civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for transparency and accountability in public finance management. This emerged at a workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) at its Harare office meant to empower citizens to demand and influence transparent and accountable public finance management in Zimbabwe. The officials…

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Government appointments should be transparent: TIZ

The appointment of Simba Chikore as the Chief Operations Officer at Air Zimbabwe has brought to the fore the need for transparency when recruiting for the government or state-owned enterprises, Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) has said. Air Zimbabwe used to be a public entity in which the State had total control but due to economic hardships,…

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The Kilimanjaro Initiative: Women claim right to land, natural resources

By Byron Mutingwende Zimbabwean women have embraced the Kilimanjaro initiative which aims to enhance the recognition of rural women as leaders and agents of change in society and create space for them to be able to participate in decision making processes about land and natural resources. The Kilimanjaro Initiative is a rural women’s mobilisation from…

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