Policy In Zimbabwe Research Articles

A brief literature review of renewable energy policies in Zimbabwe

A brief literature review of renewable energy policies in Zimbabwe

A brief literature review of renewable energy policies in Zimbabwe

A brief literature review of renewable energy policies in Zimbabwe

Assessing the Impact of Language Use on Financial Management Practices in Zimbabwean Schools: A Study of Kwekwe District

The purpose of this study was to investigate the linguistic accessibility of financial management policies and practices in documents in Zimbabwe’s education system. The study was guided by two research questions: how does English become a barrier to financial management policies in Zimbabwe? What strategies can Zimbabwe use to solve language related barriers to financial management policy implementation in the Zimbabwe education system? The study adopted a qualitative research approach. The research population was school heads, teachers, school inspectors, accountants, auditors and treasurers of development committees. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. The sample size was 19. The data was analysed using thematic approach. The study illustrated that finances are mostly mismanaged and language barrier is one of the reasons as interpretation of some English concepts become a barrier leading to financial malpractices. Additionally, the study found out that the use of the colonial language English as the legal and official language for government financial management documents in schools was one of the barriers to effective use of documents to guide financial management and practices in schools. The documents should be written in local languages for better understanding of the financial documents so as to put up to ideal financial practices. The study recommends linguistic accessibility of language used to write policy documents through training, simplification of the documents and use of local vernacular language when writing the documents as a strategy to promote effective use of policy documents in schools.

The Impact of The Zimbabwe Government's Fiscal Policy on The Destruction of The Country's Economy

This political economy study in international relations explains the impact of the government's fiscal policy on foreign loans to the IMF in 2020. The fiscal policy carried out by the Robert Mugabe government has negatively impacted Zimbabwe's economy. The land reform policy was carried out to forcibly take land belonging to white farmers and give it to supporters of Robert Mugabe's political party. The land reform policy reduced economic growth and experienced hyperinflation, and as a result, the IMF suspended aid for Zimbabwe's foreign loans. This study aims to explain the impact of land reform policies on IMF foreign loans in 2020 and describe their impact on the Zimbabwean economy. The object of this research is land reform policies in Zimbabwe. This qualitative research uses descriptive methods and collects data from books, journals, official publications, and relevant websites. This paper uses a behavioralist perspective and the theory of international economic cooperation by Anne Kruenger, Deepak Lal. The results showed that hyperinflation in Zimbabwe was terrible for society, and the IMF decided to make economic aid to Zimbabwe worse.

Rethinking, Remodelling and Retooling the Role of Parliamentary Diplomacy in the Formulation and Execution of Foreign Policy in Zimbabwe (2000-2017)

Rethinking, Remodelling and Retooling the Role of Parliamentary Diplomacy in the Formulation and Execution of Foreign Policy in Zimbabwe (2000-2017)

THE UN COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD’S GENERAL COMMENT ON THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT

For too long, child rights advocates knew little about the internet while internet governance experts knew little about children’s rights. In March 2021, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) adopted General Comment 25 (GC25) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment. A General Comment is an authoritative document which sets out how states should implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in specific contexts, such as the digital environment. Like the Convention itself, General Comment 25 needs to apply in wealthier and poorer nations, to governments of all political stripes, and for all children whatever their abilities or circumstances. It has to balance the provision of guidance on a very broad range of issues with adequate depth, so as to be meaningfully applied. And it has to shore up children’s rights today, while also anticipating the risks of harm and the potential benefits associated with future developments in the technological environment. A major cross-sector and international collaborative effort was required to ensure GC25 could achieve its aims. To inform the process, the drafting team coordinated an international public consultation, receiving unprecedented numbers of submissions; consulted with 50 experts from across jurisdictions; and conducted consultations with over 700 children in 27 countries. This process surfaced deep theoretical dilemmas and disagreements, as well as diverse practical challenges for implementing meaningful and actionable digital policy. For the child rights advocates uncertain exactly how to realize rights online as offline, GC25 provides a mandate and agenda. For policymakers uncertain where children fit into ongoing debates over internet governance, GC25 provides explanation and direction. For the public keen for children to thrive in a digital world, no longer ‘canaries in the coal mine,’ GC25 provides the road map for states to generate improvements. For 1000+ children consulted around the world, and the one in three internet users under 18 for whom they spoke, GC25 reflects their views on a matter that affects them greatly. But it is easier to say that rights offline also apply online than it is to achieve this in practice. On publication, GC25 was recognized by OECD, United Nations Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development Goals, ECPAT (the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children), International Telecommunication Union, UNESCO, WeProtect Global Alliance, World Childhood Foundation USA, World Health Organization and the European Commission. However, it is states rather than regional or other bodies who are the primary duty bearers bound to implement the Convention and its General Comments under international law. GC25 landed on the desk of every government in the world, and they must ensure that all duty bearers within their jurisdiction meet their responsibilities to children’s rights – including businesses and others whose activities significantly impact on children. Introduced and chaired by members of the GC25 drafting team responsible for the international consultations among stakeholders and children, this panel discusses ongoing efforts to interpret and implement GC25. Conceiving the child as a limit case for policy development, and recognising that, far from abstract legal principles, children’s rights come to life at the level of children’s everyday experiences, the panel will reflect on the difficulties of generating policy guidance to protect and uphold children’s rights in a digital age. It highlights the particular challenges for communication policy and law, including generating the evidence base and meaningful participation from children regarding child online protection policy in Zimbabwe (paper 1), aligning state with regional policies in Europe so as to provide a coordinated and rights-respecting framework for internet governance (paper 2), reconciling parents’ responsibilities with children’s rights regarding privacy in the US (paper 3), and translating child rights-respecting initiatives into designing digital products and services used by children (paper 4). While four papers cannot capture the full range of issues that arise in relation to children’s rights in the digital environment, the panel represents perspectives from three very different continents which contrasting approaches both to children and to internet governance. Through their commonalities and differences, the panel will seek to open a dialogue that represents diverse experiences across cultures and contexts, including the struggles and possible contestation that UN initiatives can occasion. A respondent to all four papers will reflect on the challenges of promoting coordination and implementing child rights-respecting governance in contexts of global inequality and conflict. Building on his role as expert advisor to the United Nations, he will suggest a framework for advancing the recommendations of General Comment internationally, before opening up the discussion for participation among the chairs, panellist and delegates.

An Analysis of Gender Equality and Tax Policies in Zimbabwe

This paper analyses the relationship between gender equality and tax policies in Zimbabwe. It focuses on direct and indirect taxes, and explicit and implicit gender biases in the current tax system. The study under review used desktop research and a gender-disaggregated tax-incidence analysis to find that Zimbabwe’s tax laws do not have any explicit bias against women. However, indirect taxes like value-added tax, informal taxes and trade taxes, which make up 60 per cent of all tax revenue, have implicit biases against women that are hard to see. Tax data needs to be genderdisaggregated to ensure that the total revenue mix is fair to women and supports gender-transformative tax policies, both in terms of how revenue is raised and how it is spent. To increase revenue and reduce implicit bias against women, the government must close loopholes for illicit financial f lows, increase progressive taxes, evaluate incentives, and eliminate harmful incentives.

Youth, Drug and Substance Abuse and Policy in Zimbabwe

The article takes as its point of entry in youth studies, drug and substance abuse as one of the domineering ‘pandemics’ in Zimbabwe. Whereas globally scholarly attention on youth and drug and substance abuse is remarkable, in Zimbabwe, lacunae are enduring. Informed by research with, by and for the youth, the article reconnoitres the diverse contextual factors leading to drug and substance abuse among youth, and proffers policy options for addressing the issues. Drug and substance abuse and the requisite policy responses defy brush painting, homogeneity and unilineality. While the government may take a central and oversight role, effective responses to youth drug and substance abuse demands a multi-stakeholder approach including youth, their representative organisations, families, communities, civil society organisations and the government.

DETERMINANTS OF RURAL SECONDARY SCHOOL DROP-OUT IN ZIMBABWE: A CASE OF RUSHINGA DISTRICT, MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE

The study explored determinants for school dropouts as a basis for management strategies to reduce it in rural schools. Study was motivated by the prevalence of pupils dropping out of rural secondary schools in Rushinga District, Mashonaland Central Province. School dropouts are a direct attack on the education for all policy in Zimbabwe. This study was guided by pragmatism research philosophy poised at understanding appropriate rural school human related variables which can be analyzed using mixed methods to facilitate triangulation of survey, document analysis and focus group discussions. School dropout problem required data collection from purposive samples of schools, parents and learners. The inclusion criterion was their being rich sources, being available and willing to participate in the study. Data was gathered through focus group discussions contributed by 193 parents who attended school development meetings in nine (9) secondary schools. Seventy-two (72) learners from these schools responded to a selfadministered questionnaire. The study found a (2%) learner dropout prevalence rate in Rushinga. There is an association between gender and inclination to drop out. Girls were more inclined to drop out of school than boys. Factors motivating learner drop out included; low ability to handle academic curriculum, perceived low economic utility value of Zimbabwe’s education, perceived happiness in marriages and readily available cash for gold panning. The study recommends a decentralized curriculum developing skills for the utilization of local economic resources. For example, in rushing, a curriculum focused on mining and environmental conservation would be appropriate. Learners need parental support discouraging them from early marriages. Awareness campaigns against early marriages can be done in schools, churches and any social gatherings to educate both children and adults. Teachers are called upon to apply a variety of teaching methods to motivate pupils and raise their performance. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education facilitate low cost boarding facilities.

Assesing Economic Policies in Zimbabwe The Growth with equity policy 1981

There are various economic policies implemented in Zimbabwe to improve the socio-economic standards of the nation. The current article only focuses on the Growth with Equity Policy. The article assesses that the pre-independence policies in Zimbabwe were biased towards enrichment of the minority colonial regime. In Zimbabwe when it gained independence, a number of economic policies were put into place with an emphasis on equity-based socioeconomic growth. In order to correct historical inequities and promote social justice and inclusion for all Zimbabweans, it was also intended to offer parity and balance. Nevertheless, despite the Zimbabwean government's implementation of several economic measures since 1980, the country's economic status deteriorated and is continuing deteriorating as a result of adverse economic indicators.There ought to be something that has not yet been identified that has led to some Zimbabwean policies being abandoned soon after conception or midway through their life span, while others seem to have achieved less than expected. The findings are critical for the Government of Zimbabwe to advise the stakeholders accordingly on the principal factors that need to be done that will ultimately lead to the attainment of the desired goals. The study recommends areas which might need change management.

Monetary Conditions Index and Economic Activity in Dollarized Zimbabwe

Purpose: Zimbabwe has experienced a chronic inflationary crisis whose roots can be traced back to 1997. Various macroeconomic instruments have been suggested to stabilize the country’s prices and foster economic growth but evidence on how they interplay to influence policy is lacking. This study developed a monetary conditions index (MCI) for Zimbabwe during the 10-year dollarization period, 2009 to 2018, and measured its correlation with economic activity. The aim of the MCI is to inform monetary policy making in Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach: Using monthly time series data, the MCI series from 2009 to 2018 was calculated using real interest rates and exchange rates. The relationship between the MCI, GDP, inflation, money supply and private sector credit was analysed using the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model for the long-term relationship and Granger causality for the short term. Findings: Results showed MCI weights of 1:1.54 implying that exchange rates dominate the interest rate in Zimbabwe’s monetary policy. A long run relationship between the MCI and economic variables was statistically significant while short term relationships were established for private sector credit, GDP, and foreign interest rates. Research implications: The study concludes that the MCI is a useful indicator of the central bank’s monetary policy positionfor economic analysts while the central bank can also adopt it for inflation and growth targeting. Originality/value: Unlike previous research which has proffered monetary solutions based on specific variables, this study took into consideration the interplay between interest rates and exchange rates in determining economic activity in Zimbabwe. The constructed MCI captured the interplay between these two key variables and the study established its relationship with economic activity. On this basis, the study recommends the adoption of the MCI in guiding monetary policy in Zimbabwe.

Regulatory Framework for eHealth Data Policies in Zimbabwe: Measuring FAIR Equivalency

AbstractThe FAIR Guidelines—that data should be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR)—aim to improve the management of digital data assets for improved decision making. FAIR comprises 15 elements (called facets) that explain how data should be able to be reused by researchers and policymakers. For this research, eight policy documents were reviewed from Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) from 1999 to 2020. These were scrutinised to determine the mention of the FAIR Guidelines or FAIR Equivalent principles. The vision, mission statement and objectives of these documents were analysed relative to the 15 facets of FAIR. The research found that none of the policy documents in health/eHealth or ICT in Zimbabwe explicitly mention the FAIR Guidelines, but all contain some FAIR Equivalent principles. Hence, the regulatory framework for health/eHealth data management in Zimbabwe is aligned with the FAIR Guidelines and, therefore, a policy window is open for the adoption of FAIR Guidelines in relation to health/eHealth data management.

Obstacles and Challenges Confronting Tonga Revitalisation in Zimbabwe

Language revitalisation initiatives are often faced with numerous socio- economic and political challenges which, if not mitigated, could overwhelm them. Using three schools of thought on language revitalisation, namely the Proponents, the Pessimists, and the Opponents, this article examines how internal and external challenges affected the language revitalisation initiative of the endangered Tonga speech community in Zimbabwe. It argues that endangered speech communities are often misconstrued as homogeneous and willing to fight and die for their languages. This study, however, reveals that endangered speech communities are intricate heterogeneous entities in which competing interests may jeopardise the revitalisation process. The study identifies six factors which obstructed the process of Tonga revitalisation. The most significant factors were the lack of a standardised variety of Tonga, the legacy of discriminatory language policies in Zimbabwe, and the opposition of politicians.

Feasibility of a national open data policy in Zimbabwe.

A study on the feasibility of a national open data policy in Zimbabwe was done to document open government data globally and in Zimbabwe. The study showcases the benefits of open government data and the opportunities and challenges toward the development of a national open data policy. Web content analysis and document analysis were used to collect data concerning the readiness of the country in implementing open data activities. The open data barometer was used to gather qualitative data which is essential in assessing the preparedness of the country in opening up government and research data. Content analysis was used to analyse the data which was presented thematically based on the objectives of the study. The findings indicated that the Government of Zimbabwe has endorsed a couple of open data frameworks though some projects are done by non-governmental organizations. The major challenge is implementation of these conventions and commitment to make the data accessible. The results indicated that open data must be made available and accessible within Zimbabwe as a matter of national policy. The author recommends the need for advocacy and continuous awareness creation among the stakeholders so that a national open data policy can be crafted and enacted. The enactment of a national open data policy would guide the use of and access to government data and research data which is valuable in research.

Asymmetrical Effects of Real Exchange Rate Volatility during Covid-19 Pandemic on the Demand for Money in Zimbabwe

The understanding of symmetrical or asymmetrical effects of exchange rate volatility improves the effectiveness of macroeconomic management policies. This study examines the long-run asymmetrical effects of exchange rate volatility on real demand for money in Zimbabwe, using monthly data from January 2018 to September 2020. Exchange rate shocks are calculated by decomposing exchange rate volatility measure into positive and negative components to examine their short-run and long-run effects and to determine whether the long-run effects of the components of exchange rate movements are symmetrical or asymmetrical. The linear ARDL and the non-linear ARDL models are estimated. The study employs the F-bounds test to confirm the longrun relationship and the Wald test for the asymmetrical effect. The results show that exchange rate depreciation in Zimbabwe has symmetrical effects on real demand for money. Thus, exchange rate policies in Zimbabwe should assume linearity in the passthrough effects on real demand for money.
 JEL Classification: E41; E52; E6

An assessment of economic policies in Zimbabwe in compliance with SMART principles

An assessment of economic policies in Zimbabwe in compliance with SMART principles

Public debt and inflation dynamics: Empirical evidence from Zimbabwe

Abstract The study seeks to empirically test the hypothesis that public debt has a significant influence on inflation in Zimbabwe, covering the period 1980-2020. The study was motivated by recent trends in public debt and domestic inflation in Zimbabwe, and the need to guide debt-inflation related policy. These latest trends have started to ring alarming bells, which raises questions on the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policies in bringing macroeconomic stability in the country. Applying the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing procedure to cointegration and an error correction mechanism (ECM), expanded by incorporating structural breaks, the study finds evidence in support of positive and significant impact of public debt on inflation dynamics in Zimbabwe, particularly in the long run. Based on the findings, public debt dynamics matter for inflation process in Zimbabwe. That is, fiscal policy can be considered to be an important determinant of the effectiveness of monetary policy in Zimbabwe. Therefore, the government should be mindful of increases in public debt as this was found to be inflationary.

Urban water conundrums in Zimbabwe – the role of water policy and its implementation gaps

Abstract Zimbabwe's urban areas are experiencing a dearth of water services, which is epitomized by acute water shortages and high morbidity due to waterborne diseases. The possible contribution of failures of water policy implementation to this state of affairs is explored. This review identifies and assesses 122 studies in Zimbabwe and in other countries that have analyzed water policies, in order to understand the factors which create gaps in policy implementation. It was found that these implementation gaps are mainly a result of capacity limitations in institutions, finances, and social and technical/human resources. There is currently very limited literature available that analyses water policy in Zimbabwe. In order to overcome the water conundrums in Zimbabwe's urban areas it is recommended that a literature review combined with an empirical study of both qualitative and quantitative gaps between the Zimbabwe National Water Policy and its implementation be undertaken. In particular, the review and study should focus on capacity limitations in institutions, finances, and social and technical/human resources in Zimbabwe.

Commercialisation of water supply in Zimbabwe and its effects on the poor: A working framework

Background: Neoliberalism favours the existence of free markets with limited government interference as the best way to conduct business. A feasibility study is necessary regarding the practicality of the application of neoliberalist policies in Zimbabwe’s water sector. This is important because there has been a lack of water in urban and rural areas of Zimbabwe even before the COVID-19 era.Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the commercialisation of water in Zimbabwe.Setting: The formation of the state-owned Zimbabwe National Water Authority signified a move towards the solidification of the commercialisation of the water sector in Zimbabwe, based in part on neoliberal principles.Methods: This study is a conceptual study, involving the review of various sources of literature to identify trends in the commercialisation of Zimbabwe’s water sector. This study is descriptive in nature and involves the use of secondary data gathered from various publications. This study also makes use of a case study approach.Results: The findings of this study show that the commercialisation of the water sector in Zimbabwe is practical to a certain extent; however, it needs to be performed in a way that acknowledges existing strengths and weaknesses with continuous monitoring and evaluation taking place.Conclusion: While commercialisation is a necessary tool to incentivising economic water usage and generate revenue, there is a need to ensure that those who cannot afford to pay for water in Zimbabwe are safeguarded in order to guarantee their access to basic water, which is their human right.

Covid-19 and the entrenchment of a virtual Elite private school: Rethinking education policies in Zimbabwe

By using a critical emancipatory research framework, this theoretical paper discusses the COVID-19-induced commercialisation of the education system in Zimbabwe. It argues that COVID-19 exposed and widened the digital gap between privileged and underprivileged learners, regardless of the learners’ geographical location. The digitalisation of the education space –in adherence to World Health Organization’s COVID-19 guidelines – has resulted in the creation of virtual elite schools. Learners from privileged families found sanctuary in digital learning, whilst underprivileged learners continue to be exposed to the reality of commercialised education. This trend has revealed educational inequalities between privileged and underprivileged learners. The paper answers two major questions: 1. What are the inequalities that were reintroduced by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Zimbabwean education system? and 2. How effective is stakeholders’ response to COVID-19-induced inequalities? The paper argues that COVID-19 has dashed the hopes of free education for all, by creating a digital gap that perpetuates and entrenches inequalities in relation to learners. In light of these findings, the study suggests that education stakeholders invest in digital infrastructure, with special attention being paid to learners’ economic status, as opposed to their geographical location.