Social exclusion and social security: the case of Zimbabwe

Abstract

The paper examines the problem of social exclusion in the provision of social security in Zimbabwe. After sketching a historical perspective of the problem of social exclusion in Zimbabwe, it is argued that social exclusion emanates largely from the orientation of social security which places emphasis on protecting persons employed in the formal sector. The reality in Zimbabwe, however, is that those employed in the formal sector constitute a small percentage of the population. Consequently, the majority are excluded from social security coverage. The paper also observes that there is a gender dimension to social exclusion as women are largely excluded from contributory social security schemes. The paper ends by calling for appropriate interventions in order to achieve inclusiveness in social security coverage. (Journal of Social Development in Africa: 2003 18 (1): 33-48)