Together with our partner organizations, Diakonia promotes democracy and gender equality in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has a population of about 16 million people. With a rather homogeneous ethnic composition, a relatively well-educated population and fertile soil, Zimbabwe has for years been one of the region’s most diversified and functional economies.
However, due to poor governance, corruption and deep political polarisation, many of the Zimbabwean people, in particular women, young people, children and the elderly, suffer from widespread social insecurity and increasing poverty and vulnerability. The economy has been in a deep recession since 2013, with the formal unemployment level being high at about 80 per cent, mostly affecting young people. The quality of public health and educational services is declining and there is a long way to go before all Zimbabweans are able to fully enjoy their socioeconomic rights.
