An estimated of 280 million children are living in both monetary and non-monetary poverty across the world, more than half of which are in Africa. In Zimbabwe, estimates show that of the 6.3 million children, 78% live in consumption poverty and 26% live in extreme. A recent Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA) (2016) estimates that 72% of the all children experienced at least one deprivation, whilst 57% of children experienced at least two deprivations.
Three stakeholders concurred that transparency is key in budget processes. This will in turn ensure participation which leads to poverty reduction.
Nyamadzawo from UNICEF noted that child poverty as one of the key developmental challenges confronting the world.
He highlighted that “It is important to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to end child poverty – current and future – through domestic resources. The capacity of governments to mobilize domestic resources – mainly through taxation – and spend them effectively and efficiently at national and sub national levels will therefore determine their success in addressing child poverty”.
While giving his presentation on supporting open budgeting in Zimbabwe, Nyamadzawo also acknowledged the efforts done by NANGO and IBP in further strengthening the capacity of Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) towards enhancing budgeting processes. He also said the meeting should deliver a strategy not only to carry the mandate of the government but of the people of Zimbabwe. Nyamadzawo added that there is need for a road map that can lead to a more open, transparent, accountable and participatory budgeting process delivering real results for the people and children of Zimbabwe.
IBP budget expert, David Robbins, said he believes that it’s natural for the public and government to engage in the budget.
“After the entire budget is drafted it then becomes important to establish whether public money will be spent on the public. This strengthens the relationship between the government and its citizens, it is the heart of democratic services Therefore the budget becomes the bridge hence OBS seeks to test the strength of budgets as bridges”, he said.
Robbins emphasised that OBS measures transparency, oversight and public participation.
The vice chairperson of NANGO, Barbra Matsanga noted that the issues of budget transparency, accountability and stakeholder participation are crucial in promoting a democratic development state that is critical in addressing the social, economic and governance issues impacting positively to the generality of the people today.
“The attendance of key government departments at the meeting reflects the urgency and seriousness the government attaches to fiscal reforms that open up spaces for citizens to engage with the national budget and other processes the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development undertakes”, she said.
Economic development and poverty reduction can be effectively enhanced under an environment of good governance, characterized by, among other things, fiscal transparency and accountability. National budgets that are accountable, efficient, and transparent are crucial in the fight against poverty, inequality and fulfilment of child rights and progress towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Budget transparency leads to better-informed public debate about the design and results of fiscal policy, makes governments more accountable for budget implementation, and thereby strengthens credibility and public understanding of macroeconomic policies and choices. Greater transparency over revenue flows, including from natural resource and development partners is necessary to enhance accountability and to curb corruption. In a bid to improve on budget transparency and accountability, Zimbabwe has been participating in the Open Budget Survey for the previous years, including 2017 OBS.
From 27 February to 2 March NANGO hosted a meeting with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Auditor General’s office, Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Unit (ZEPARU) and UNICEF to identify opportunities and gaps to improve the country’s performance in the survey through unpacking the 2017 Open Budget Survey (OBS) country results.
