Breaking the economic and policy barriers for women informal cross border traders (WCBTS)-Open Society Fund

Economic and Social Justice    |    04 Apr 22

The program intends to address several issues affecting Women Informal Cross Border Traders (WICBTs) by working with the selected community structures. These structures will work towards the facilitation of full application of the by-laws through the provision of proper and functional amenities in the areas where traders operate. This includes making sure that proper infrastructure is in place to cater to the public service needs of women in the informal sector, such as adequate water and sanitation facilities as well as the collection of garbage on time to avoid disease outbreaks. This could be done by working with the different layers of stakeholders; recommending that a lower marginal tax rate and a strengthening of institutional arrangements ought to improve tax collection from the informal sector in Bulawayo and Shurugwi; and working with council officials, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Members of Parliament and other stakeholders to be more active in interfacing with informal traders to enlighten them on the standing policies and regulations.