Zimbabwe's Efforts Towards Achieving SDGs: An Argumentative Essay

This argumentative essay examines Zimbabwe's efforts and progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It explores historical, cultural, and structural factors influencing the country's development, including political instability, cultural practices, and infrastructural challenges. The essay analyzes the role of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in implementing strategic plans and policies aimed at improving various sectors such as education, health, and economic growth. It highlights the decline in poverty and improvements in certain areas while acknowledging persistent issues like discrimination and racism. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of continuous efforts and strategic planning for Zimbabwe to achieve its SDG goals by 2030. The essay also provides a comprehensive overview of the country's journey towards sustainable development, citing various sources and data points.

Argumentative essay based on
one country’s work towards
achieving Sustainable
Development Goal (SDG)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION:..........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY:.................................................................................................................................1
Historical factors....................................................................................................................2
Cultural factors.......................................................................................................................2
Structural factors....................................................................................................................3
Critical analysis......................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION:...............................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES:...............................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION:
The economic condition of a country defines its growth and development. Sustainable
development goal (SDA) are known as global goals that takes action to end poverty, protect the
planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity (Sachs, Schmidt-Traub, & Durand-
Delacre, (2016). It consists of 17 goals that includes areas such as innovation, peace and justice,
climate change, economic inequality, etc. They all are interconnected with each other as
development in one area will lead to development in another. Zimbabwe is a country that comes
under low income and
United Nations Development program is to implement strategic plan to improve those
areas. UNDP works with government be developing policies to achieve goals mentioned in plan.
They also keep track record of all goals that have to be achieved. They have to be achieved with
the help of private companies, civil society, people, etc. Pettigrew & et..al (2015).
MAIN BODY:
Zimbabwe SDG are developing continuously at slow rate. The people, government and
companies are fully focused on agenda of 2030 developed by UNDP. Policies and strategic
plans have been implemented successfully thus providing people a quality life and education.
This has lead to increase in GDP of country from 0.6 in 2016 to 3.8 in 2017. there has been
growth in different sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, etc. Besides this, there are
certain changes that has occurred in economy that includes various programmes started for
production import substitution Hutton,. & Varughese, (2016). Also, intervention in local
industry has increased from 34.3 % in 2015 to 47.4 % in 2016. ease of doing business is made
easier by government by modifying reforms. It includes getting electricity, trading across
borders, solvency, enforcing contracts, etc. A special economic act is been formulated by
government to attract foreign direct investments. Also, economic zones are designed like victoria
falls, sunway city, etc. (Cobbinah, Erdiaw-Kwasie, & Amoateng, (2015). A committee is
established that will led and guide all educational institutes. Policies are developed to monitor
SDG' s indicators.
Results are Zimbabwe poverty index has declined from 0.172 in 2011 to 0.127 in 2014.
Also, percentage of people who are MPI have declined significantly from 39.1 % in 2011 to 29.7
1

% in 2014. Moreover, 78 % about 4.8 million children lives in poverty while 26 % about 1.6
million lives in food poverty out of 6.3 million children.
Historical factors
Zimbabwe has been engaged in various political affairs in recent times. It has affected its
infrastructure to a great extent. Zimbabwe has been engaged in several wars and in been ruled by
different rulers. Also, it has been ruled by various British rulers that have taken their resources
and used it. Moreover, due to political instability the country has not been grown and developed
in better way. This has kept its economic condition and GDP at lower rate. Besides this, due to
frequent change in polices and plans Zimbabwe has not focused on its infrastructure and social
development ( World Health Organization. (2015). This is the reason of their slow growth.
Apart from this, the main reason behind the continent growth is discrimination and
racism prevailing in the society. It has prohibited black people to get equal rights. Also,
Zimbabwe relations with is neighbour countries is getting disturbed due to discrimination in
society and migration of people. After the deposed of president Robert Mugabe, polices made
by him has lead to hyperinflation and collapsed infrastructure. While again having election in
country has resulted in corruption (Keesstra & et..al (2016).
Cultural factors
The society of country represents its culture. Zimbabwe society and its people are treated
as very poor and low class. It is due to various factors that is existing within the society. There
has been a lot of increase in practices such as early marriages, child prostitution, drug abuse,
child labour, etc. (Friedman, & Gostin, (2015). these practices are been followed by people as
they do not any option in earn money. Moreover, government has not taken actions or developed
policies to reduce or stop this.
Early marriages were reported as very high in Zimbabwe as girls dropped out school
before the age of 18 (World Health Organization. (2016). They are been influenced by parents to
get married. Besides this, there are other vulnerabilities for this such as HIV, etc. child
prostitution has increased as girls are not able to earn income from any other source.
Small children are forced to work in companies as parents do not have enough finance to
educate them. Also, mostly children are engaged in cattle herd during their school time.
2

Communities are not making any efforts to eliminate child labour as they think it will increase
their financial status (Saruchera, & Lautze, (2015). There are no strict polices developed by
government to stop this crime. Moreover, efforts made by local authorises are been denied by
society. The main reason behind poor quality of life in Zimbabwe is discrimination among
people (Yakovleva, Kotilainen, & Toivakka, (2017) It has lead to impact people's standard of
living in very bad manner. Racism between white and black people has forced government to
fulfil high class people needs. Policies and plans developed by them are considered for high class
people. It has removed low class from plans. There is no proper system or process if providing
basic facilities to poor people. That's why benefits are not reached to them.
Structural factors
Structural factors include education, infrastructure and geographical area (Rockström, &
Falkenmark, (2015) Zimbabwe is situated in Africa and is surrounded by countries that is also
not having enough growth and development. The education system in Zimbabwe is highly
influenced by other countries (Shepherd, & Elvin, (2016) Most of its population lives in rural
areas where there is no infrastructure of providing education. Also, from starting people believe
in engaging their children in agricultural field. Besides this, people do not have sufficient money
to educate their children. That's why the literacy level of people in low in Zimbabwe. Moreover,
health care facilities are not provided equally to people (Smiley, (2017) .This has affected their
health status. Due to this various diseases are emerging and affecting people.
Unemployment is rising due to non availability of any strong policy. It has allowed
people to migrate in other countries for employment. Also, companies are outsourcing
employees because of illiteracy in society (Cantillo & Zepeda, (2016). They are not providing
jobs to these people. Moreover, there is lack of clean drinking water available to people. This is
affecting their health. It is increasing dehydration and people are not able to work properly.
Rather than doing job they are going far away in search of clean drinking water. There is no
proper sanitation facilities available. It is because of lack of government influence. These are the
factors that is affecting SDG in Zimbabwe.
3

Critical analysis
Discrimination and racism remains a key issues in growth and development of
Zimbabwe. However, policies and plans are made to improve the health and economic condition
of poor people. Government has focused on how plans will be implemented and has provided
funds in various sectors (Hoddinott, & Horton, (2015) Moreover, it has involved people in
certain activities that will motivate them to earn suitable income so that children can be educated.
Along with this, continent is highly engaged with UNDP to develop strategic plans so that
growth.
Furthermore, private firms and local authorities are providing various services to people
to enhance their living standards. The results of this is almost 15 5 of people in rural areas are
earning 5 dollars per day. It has provided a platform to improve economic condition. Due to
increase in health services 19.8 % people have successfully recovered from disease. It has overall
given people a new life. Schools and hospital are constructed to in many areas. This has provided
employment to over 48000 people in Zimbabwe (Kamau, Chasek, & O'Connor, (2018) Also,
president is making strong relation with neighbouring countries to increase trade relations.
Primary education level has increased in certain regions of Zimbabwe. Due to efforts of business
and social organisations citizens are sending their children in schools. NGO' s are participating in
providing equal health services with the help of doctors and social workers.
CONCLUSION:
This reports showcase the sustainable development goals of Zimbabwe and its progress
towards it. United Nations Development program is to implement strategic plan to improve those
areas. UNDP works with government be developing policies to achieve goals mentioned in plan.
Discrimination and racism remains a key issues in growth and development of Zimbabwe.
However, policies and plans are made to improve the health and economic condition of poor
people. Zimbabwe can achieve its SDG goals in 2030 if they continuously make efforts in
improving their social and economic condition. With this Zimbabwe will have SDG until 2030.
4

REFERENCES:
Books and journals:
Cantillo, M. V. S., & Zepeda, E. (2016). Achieving sustainable development: Investment and
macroeconomic challenges. United Nations Series on Development, 115-150. Retrieved
from http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/economic-and-social-development/technology-and-
innovation-for-sustainable-development_d7e193b4-en
Cobbinah, P. B., Erdiaw-Kwasie, M. O., & Amoateng, P. (2015). Africa’s urbanisation:
Implications for sustainable development. Cities.47, 62-72. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026427511500044X
Friedman, E., & Gostin, L. O. (2015). The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
Achieving the vision of global health with justice. So pronounces the,.2030.Retrieved from
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2773616
Hoddinott, J., & Horton, S. (2015). Stunting as a sustainable development goal. About SCN
News Retrieved from
https://www.unscn.org/files/Publications/SCN_News/SCNNEWS41_web_low_res.pdf#page
=59
Hutton, G., & Varughese, M. (2016). The costs of meeting the 2030 sustainable development
goal targets on drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Retrieved from
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/23681
Kamau, M., Chasek, P., & O'Connor, D. (2018). Transforming Multilateral Diplomacy: The
Inside Story of the Sustainable Development Goals. Routledge. Retrieved from
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=qf5QDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT13&dq=+Sustainable+Development+Go
al+in+zimbabwe&ots=8dHTXnUg80&sig=VyfszpWCChmh0xO1DmcfYCZLJHY
Keesstra & et..al (2016). The significance of soils and soil science towards realization of the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Soil.2(2). 111. Retrieved from
.http://search.proquest.com/openview/a5b64993d0f07099eb5e1c4a5049479d/1?pq-
origsite=gscholar&cbl=2040561
5

Pettigrew & et..al (2015). Primary health care and the Sustainable Development Goals. The
Lancet.386(10009), 2119-2121. Retrieved from
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)00949-6/abstract
Rockström, J., & Falkenmark, M. (2015). Increase water harvesting in Africa. Nature.
519(7543), 283. Retrieved from
https://www.nature.com/polopoly_fs/1.17116!/menu/main/topColumns/topLeftColumn/
pdf/519283a.pdf?origin=ppub
Sachs, J. D., Schmidt-Traub, G., & Durand-Delacre, D. (2016). Preliminary Sustainable
Development Goal (SDG) Index and Dashboard. Sustainable Development Solutions
Network.15 Retrieved from http://www.nax.hla21.de/resources/160215-Prel-SDG-Index-a-
SDG-Dashboard.pdf
Saruchera, D., & Lautze, J. (2015). Measuring transboundary water cooperation: learning from
the past to inform the sustainable development goals (Vol. 168). International Water
Management Institute (IWMI). Retrieved from https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=RJFOCwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA2&dq=+Sustainable+Development+Go
al+in+zimbabwe&ots=hBFHhWzUxZ&sig=nnQxDfiTkHoX_dJTBEhrIz--f3w
Shepherd, M., & Elvin, S. (2016). Assessing progress and pitfalls of the Millennium
Development Goals in Zimbabwe: a critical analysis. Africa’s Public Service Delivery and
Performance Review.4(4). 573-605. Retrieved from
https://journals.co.za/content/journal/10520/EJC-57a77f2ec?
crawler=true&mimetype=application/pdf
Smiley, S. L. (2017). Defining and measuring water access: lessons from Tanzania for moving
forward in the post-Millennium Development Goal era. African Geographical Review.36(2).
168-182. Retrieved from
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19376812.2016.1171154
World Health Organization. (2015). Health in 2015: from MDGs, millennium development
goals to SDGs, sustainable development goals. Retrieved from
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/200009/1/9789241565110_eng.pdf
6

World Health Organization. (2016). World health statistics 2016: monitoring health for the
SDGs sustainable development goals. World Health Organization. Retrieved from
https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=-
A4LDgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=+Sustainable+Development+Goal+in+zimbabwe&
ots=dbjd3UghBF&sig=4y6n9iVmqjHE5aepSxtSXVSAlTI
Yakovleva, N., Kotilainen, J., & Toivakka, M. (2017). Reflections on the opportunities for
mining companies to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in
sub–Saharan Africa. The Extractive Industries and Society.4(3). 426-433. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214790X16301526
Online:
Sustainable development of zimbabwe, 2017. [Online] Available Through:
<https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/zimbabwe>
7

8