Localizing maternity protection coverage in Zimbabwe
How an ILO-led program on gender equality supports better maternity protection coverage of women workers in small holder farmers community of southeast Zimbabwe’s Chivi rural district.
23 March 2016
HARARE – Many of the beneficiaries under the ILO implemented Joint Programme for Gender Equality (JPGE) are in their child bearing years. Realizing how important it is to protect their productive and reproductive roles, Chivi beneficiaries created a maternity protection policy for their project.
This progressive step, taken by beneficiaries illustrates how even within the rural economy, maternity protection can be provided for female employees.
After their training on occupational safety and health and women workers’ rights, beneficiaries developed a plan which indicates their intention to build a shelter facility, where their young children can safely play; as well as for their own rest during rest breaks.
The beneficiaries also came up with an innovation that when a beneficiary goes on maternity leave, she will receive equal benefits or entitlements as her counterparts at the project site. In addition, the beneficiary prior to and post-delivery, is allowed to carry out only light work to ensure that she has the energy to look after the baby and continue with her other productive duties at home, with minimal exposure to harmful and rigorous work.
Through continued dialogue and support, it is hoped that the beneficiaries will be able to expand their production and to also extend such maternity protection to future female employees. The involvement of local leadership is hoped will ensure that this model will be extended to other members of the community.
Women perform multiple roles within their lifespan, but with little recognition in their participation in employment in the rural and informal economies. Maternity protection remains critical to safeguarding women’s continued access to employment.
In line with both the ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) and the Constitution of Zimbabwe under section 65, a pregnant beneficiary receives at least three months maternity leave. This can be extended based on the circumstances of delivery, illness or other reasons.
This progressive step, taken by beneficiaries illustrates how even within the rural economy, maternity protection can be provided for female employees.
After their training on occupational safety and health and women workers’ rights, beneficiaries developed a plan which indicates their intention to build a shelter facility, where their young children can safely play; as well as for their own rest during rest breaks.
The beneficiaries also came up with an innovation that when a beneficiary goes on maternity leave, she will receive equal benefits or entitlements as her counterparts at the project site. In addition, the beneficiary prior to and post-delivery, is allowed to carry out only light work to ensure that she has the energy to look after the baby and continue with her other productive duties at home, with minimal exposure to harmful and rigorous work.
Through continued dialogue and support, it is hoped that the beneficiaries will be able to expand their production and to also extend such maternity protection to future female employees. The involvement of local leadership is hoped will ensure that this model will be extended to other members of the community.
Women perform multiple roles within their lifespan, but with little recognition in their participation in employment in the rural and informal economies. Maternity protection remains critical to safeguarding women’s continued access to employment.
Background information
In line with both the ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) and the Constitution of Zimbabwe under section 65, a pregnant beneficiary receives at least three months maternity leave. This can be extended based on the circumstances of delivery, illness or other reasons.