Elinciya Witman & Blessing Nduku
Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), in collaboration with the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ), held an event at the Gweru library to gather input on a proposed bill related to sugar and airtime taxes.
This bill aims to fund healthcare initiatives that will reduce out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for patients without medical aid.
The survey specifically targeted women to gather their perspectives on how funds should be allocated to address critical health issues affecting them.
The initiative seeks to ensure that the bill effectively addresses the healthcare needs of vulnerable populations.
During the gathering, Desire Dobie noted that only 33% of the population has medical aid, leaving the majority vulnerable.
“In Zimbabwe, only 33% have medical aid, and the government is trying to ensure that the rest of the population can access basic healthcare for free,” she said.
However, she clarified that this initiative is not entirely free.
It will be funded through sugar and airtime taxes, which are being paid to support the healthcare budget.
The sugar tax, introduced in 2024, charges 0.01 per gram for sugar-sweetened beverages in order to fund cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The revenue generated from this tax is intended to support cancer services and improve health infrastructure. Additionally, a 5% levy on mobile phone airtime and data was introduced in 2017 to assist in infrastructure development and cancer treatment within the health sector.
The National Health Provision (NHPP) is a government-initiated health financing system aimed at expanding access to affordable healthcare services for all citizens, reducing out-of-pocket costs, and improving healthcare outcomes.
WLSA Zimbabwe began as a local chapter of a sub-regional network in 1989 and is now registered as a Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) in Zimbabwe.
The network includes member countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Zambia.
Its purpose is to contribute to the sustained well-being of women and girls through action-oriented research in the socio-legal field and advocacy for women’s rights.
WLSA integrates action into its research by questioning and challenging existing laws, instigating campaigns for legal reforms, educating women and girls about their rights, providing legal advice, and raising community and leadership awareness around gender issues.
The organization aims to create a society where justice is equitably accessed, claimed, and enjoyed by women and girls in all spheres of life.
It seeks to organize, coordinate, and support evidence-based interventions that promote and protect the rights of women and girls through legal and policy reforms, as well as changes to discriminatory socio-cultural and economic practices.
WLSA operates in seven countries, and the SOAWR Coalition is proud to have both the Zimbabwe and Zambia chapters as members.
