By Wallace Mawire
As the world marks the 2026 International Day of Rural Women, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Zimbabwe is highlighting the growing role of rural women in advancing climate resilience, strengthening food security and driving economic transformation across the country.
Through the Climate Resilient Livelihoods project, implemented in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe and supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), rural women are gaining greater access to productive technologies, climate information, financial services and leadership opportunities.
Implemented across 15 districts in Manicaland, Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces, the project reports reaching over 2.8 million people, 53% of them women, with 229,414 women benefiting directly. Women also head 65% of the households reached.
These results demonstrate how targeted investments in rural women can strengthen household livelihoods, improve agricultural productivity and build communities better equipped to withstand climate shocks.
Women are increasingly assuming decision-making roles in the management of irrigation infrastructure and agricultural resources.
Across active irrigation schemes supported by the project, women’s representation on Irrigation Management Committees has increased from less than 20% at baseline to approximately 49%.
Women now serve as chairpersons, secretaries and treasurers in several schemes, while also leading Operations and Maintenance Fund management in four of the 13 developed irrigation schemes.
This progress is strengthening women’s participation in decisions affecting water access, agricultural production and the long-term sustainability of community infrastructure.
The introduction of labour-saving technologies is transforming the daily lives of rural women by reducing the time required for physically demanding agricultural tasks.
Technologies including earth augers, multi-crop threshers and grinder-choppers have contributed to a reported 76% overall reduction in women’s workload.
For example, the time required to prepare Pfumvudza planting basins has fallen from 39.4 hours to 6.3 hours, while cereal threshing time has dropped from 58.2 hours to 5.2 hours.
With more time available, women are increasingly engaging in income-generating activities, agricultural production, childcare and other household priorities. The project reports that 83% of women experienced significant or very significant reductions in workload.
Financial inclusion is another important pillar of the project’s approach to empowering rural women.
A total of 463 Village Savings and Lending (VSL) groups have been established, involving 5,981 farmers, of whom 77.7% are women.
By December 2025, these groups had accumulated US$329,374 in savings, helping members invest in livestock, agricultural inputs, children’s education and other productive livelihood activities.
The initiative demonstrates how community-based savings mechanisms can strengthen women’s financial resilience, encourage entrepreneurship and reduce economic vulnerability.
Through 230 Farmer Field Schools established across the 15 districts, the project has reached 82,434 farmers, including 53,392 women.
Additionally, 282 female extension officers have received training in climate-smart agriculture, agroecology, gender mainstreaming, financial inclusion and sustainable farming practices.
Access to climate information is also helping women make better-informed decisions about planting, irrigation and agricultural production.
To date, 199,062 women have received tailored weather and climate advisories, while more than 58,000 farmers, 52% of them women, have used Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA) approaches to plan their crops and farming seasons.
These services are delivered through radio programmes, bulk SMS, WhatsApp and community meetings, helping to bring practical climate information closer to rural communities.
The achievements of the Climate Resilient Livelihoods project highlight the importance of placing women at the centre of climate adaptation and rural development.
By combining access to technology, financial resources, knowledge and leadership opportunities, the initiative is helping rural women become active drivers of sustainable economic transformation.
“Rural women are not only among those most affected by climate change; they are also central to the solutions. When women have access to productive technologies, finance, climate information and decision-making opportunities, entire communities benefit. These results demonstrate the importance of investing in women’s leadership and economic empowerment as essential foundations for climate resilience and sustainable development,” said Dr. Ayodele Odusola, UNDP Zimbabwe Resident Representative.
On International Day of Rural Women, UNDP Zimbabwe reaffirms its commitment to working with the Government of Zimbabwe, development partners and rural communities to advance gender equality, strengthen climate resilience and expand economic opportunities for women across the country.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in approximately 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. In Zimbabwe, UNDP works with the Government and development partners to advance inclusive growth, climate resilience, good governance, sustainable development financing and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.