. In order to tackle poverty as one of the push factor for trafficking, GoZ is promoting financial inclusion for women by availing financial packages to women, specifically by providing funding to women’s groups in the form of loans through the Women’s Development Fund (WDF). The fund targets women groups at grassroots level in various sectors of the economy that include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, trade, arts and craft. The objective of the fund is to increase participation of women in mainstream economic activities. From 2022 to 2023 government supported 350 women groups through this fund.

Loans, asset financing, investment and savings are offered with minimum interest rates and flexible borrowing conditions with little collateral requirements. The financial packages have enabled women to build the capacity of their businesses. In addition to provision of financing, government of Zimbabwe has provided skills training to women and girls to enhance efficiency of running their income generating activities. From 2022 a total of of 44527 women have been capacitated across the country.

Realising the needs of women entrepreneurs, government in partnership with UN Women has embarked on a drive to establish safe markets across the country. The safe markets are designed to respond to the practical gender needs of women by providing them with spaces for selling their products, storerooms, gender sensitive ablution facilities as well as children’s play centre. These markets enable women to carry out their economic merchandise while their children are playing in a safe environment.