The 2026 National Budget shows important attempts to integrate gender equality into fiscal planning, but it still falls short of delivering a fully gender-responsive and gender-transformative budget for Zimbabwean women, especially those in rural, informal and low-income communities.

1. YES — There are notable efforts towards gender inclusion

The government has institutionalised gender budgeting since 2007 and continues to issue gender-sensitive Budget Call Circulars. According to the 2026 Gender Inclusive Budget Statement:

Women constitute 51% of the public service labour force (580,823 workers), although decision-making positions remain male-dominated at only 33% women at policymaker level.

There are increased allocations for women’s empowerment, with ZWG28.7 billion targeted for entrepreneurship, agriculture support and youth/women skills development in 2026, a 19% increase from 2025.

The health sector, which disproportionately benefits women and children, receives 52% of total allocations for 2026, illustrating a pro-women investment in maternal care, AMTOs, family planning and rural clinics.

Education funding benefited 2.4 million girls, achieving gender parity at primary, secondary and tertiary levels (Graph on page 17).

These efforts show intent to move towards gender inclusion.

2. BUT — The Budget is not yet fully gender-responsive or gender-transformative

Despite positive strides, the document itself highlights major structural weaknesses, many of which reflect the reality on the ground.

(a) Lack of legal enforcement

The Gender Budget notes that the Public Finance Management Act does not compel ministries to mainstream gender. As a result, compliance is inconsistent and some ministries simply ignore gender integration. (p. 22)

(b) Underfunding of crucial gender programmes

Although allocations exist, actual disbursements are low:

Social protection received only 29% of its allocation in 2025, leaving vulnerable women and girls under-supported. (p. 15)

National documentation services, a critical gender-equality tool (especially for rural women), suffered a 23% budget decline. (p. 20)

Gender mainstreaming programmes receive the lowest share under economic empowerment (Graph 2, p. 13).

This shows that gender equality is still not treated as a core economic growth strategy.

(c) Weakness in gender analysis and data

The Statement openly acknowledges:

▪︎ lack of sex-disaggregated data,
▪︎ insufficient capacity in ministries,
▪︎ negative patriarchal attitudes,
▪︎ resistance to gender-responsive budgeting,
▪︎ absence of integrated gender initiatives by private sector & local authorities (p. 22).

A gender budget without data and strong ministries becomes largely symbolic.

(d) Persistent gender gap in decision-making

While women are 51% of public servants, only 33% of policymakers are women, far from the constitutional requirement of 50% representation (Section 17). (p. 11)

Without women at decision-making levels, budgets can not be fully gender-sensitive.

(e) Cuts in critical services affecting women

Transport, which directly affects women traders, caregivers and rural mobility, faces a 50% budget decline in 2026. (p. 20)

Documentation services, vital for women who struggle with IDs, marriage certificates and births registration, declines by 23% thus worsening exclusion.

These cuts undermine gender equality goals.

3. So, is the 2026 Budget gender-inclusive?
My verdict

It is gender-aware, but not yet gender-responsive or gender-transformative.

The budget recognises gender issues and allocates resources to women’s empowerment, health and education which is commendable.

However, the gaps in funding, data, accountability, and decision-making power mean the budget still falls short of addressing:

▪︎ structural inequalities
▪︎ rural gender exclusion
▪︎ digital and economic gender gaps
▪︎ unpaid care work
▪︎ violence against women
▪︎ intersectional disabilities
▪︎ real economic empowerment for women

A gender-sensitive budget must not only count women, it must change outcomes for women.

The 2026 budget still falls short of that threshold.

“The 2026 Budget shows good intention, but intention alone does not dismantle patriarchy. Until gender equality is backed by enforceable laws, full disbursements, stronger social protection and 50% representation of women in decision-making, the budget remains gender-aware but not yet gender-transformative.”
— Linda Tsungirirai Masarira