The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Shaping Livelihoods under Zimbabwe`s Hybrid Political System

Victor Madziyauswa¹

1. Dept. of Development Studies/Faculty of Management Sciences, University of Fort Hare, Alice Town, South Africa.

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.10 , Issue.7 , pp.58-66, Jul-2024

Online published on Jul 31, 2024

Copyright © Victor Madziyauswa . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

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Abstract :
This study focuses on the involvement of civil society organisations (CSOs) in shaping policies and programs that impact livelihoods under Zimbabwe`s hybrid political system. The paper examines CSO activities` economic, social, and political ramifications by utilising a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and structured questionnaires. The findings show that CSOs play an important role in economic empowerment; they improve incomes and employment through microfinance projects and vocational training initiatives. Socially, CSOs work towards enhanced access to health facilities and education, particularly for marginalised communities, thus enhancing general wellness in such places. Politically, CSOs increase civic participation and democratic engagement by enlightening people on matters regarding their rights and duties. Despite these achievements, some major challenges, like strict legal frameworks and political meddling, are facing them. Comprehensive policy reforms that encourage CSO’s operating environment should be considered while encouraging international partners to avail themselves of more funds, technical assistance, and other community-specific interventions proposed for varied settings. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on governance, civil society, and development in hybrid political systems, highlighting the critical role of CSOs in fostering sustainable development and democratic governance in Zimbabwe

Key-Words / Index Term :
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Hybrid Political Systems, Livelihoods, Civic Engagement

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