Zimbabwe is rich in natural resources and was once known as the breadbasket of Africa. However, political unrest, financial mismanagement, and corruption have led to a severe financial crisis and some of the highest inflation rates globally. Natural resources and land are unevenly distributed, with nearly half the population living in extreme poverty and struggling for food security.
Rule of law, human rights issues, and civil society space continue to shrink. Many local, regional, and international organizations (including the United Nations), warn that the government introduce retrogressive legislation that targets civil society.
Despite a constitution promising gender equality, women’s participation in leadership and politics remains low, especially in rural areas where patriarchal norms prevail. Women often work on land owned by men and face gender inequality, irregular wages, and unsafe conditions in the informal sector.
Zimbabwe’s challenges are exacerbated by climate change - weather conditions are increasingly characterized by erratic rainfall and long dry spells, leading to increased humanitarian needs and outbreaks of diseases like cholera and typhoid, worsening the economic situation in both rural and urban areas.
NPA in Zimbabwe
NPA established a country office in Zimbabwe in 1983, short time after Zimbabwean independence from the white minority rule of Rhodesia. Since then, NPA has supported Zimbabwean civil society in their efforts against the high levels of economic, social, and political inequality.
NPA collaborates with a wide range of partner organizations at both local and national levels. The partners represent various interest groups, including informal vendors and city-dwellers, subsistence farmers, and communities exposed to extractive industries. Together, they mobilize, organize, and advocate for democratization and equitable resource distribution.
A core focus of NPA’s work is to build and strengthen grassroots and membership organizations to help people and communities improve their daily lives. This involves ensuring grassroots representation in national processes, such as constitutional reforms, and advocating for the right to organize. Additionally, NPA works to improve the internal systems and structures of partner organizations, enabling them to engage more effectively with authorities.
