Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the Zimbabwe government is ready to invest in population development during the 2019 State of the World Population report launch in Harare yesterday.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report, which is entitled “Unfinished Business: The Pursuit of Rights and Choices for All” is launched at a time when Zimbabwe is implementing the Transitional Stabilisation Program.
“My Government holds great aspirations of achieving upper middle-income status for Zimbabwe by 2030 and it is, therefore, prepared to invest in population development, economic growth and poverty reduction,” Ncube who was the guest of honour said.
“Our economic blueprint, the Transitional Stabilisation Programme is laying a strong foundation to achieve our vision 2030.”
UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Esther Muia, who gave remarks during the launch of the report, said the Zimbabwe UNFPA partnership which began in 1981has strengthened over the years through various programs centred Population and Development with a lens on women and girls.
“The title for this year’s State of the World Population Report is “Unfinished business: the pursuit of rights and choices for all” is showing that there is progress in the attainment of reproductive health and rights by women, young people, especially girls but that there is still unfinished business,” Muia said.
“I was very pleased to hear this acknowledgement by the Government through the Minister here present.”
“We must now run together to finish the last mile which, often times is the most difficult,” Muia went on.
The 2019 State of the World Population report launch comes at a time when UNFPA celebrate 50 years of existence.
“As we celebrate our 50 th anniversary, UNFPA renews its commitment to continue supporting the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals in Zimbabwe by 2030 by ensuring we have: Zero unmet need for modern contraception; Zero preventable maternal deaths, Zero gender-based violence or practices that harm women and girls,” Muia said.
