for persons with disability including women as a basis for improved health. Challenges 11.11 Government’s effective provision for the rights and welfare of the elderly as well as people with disabilities has been severely hampered by the significant economic challenges that the country experienced over the last decade. 12 Conclusion 12.1 Zimbabwe continues to make efforts towards eradicating discrimination against women by the enactment of the necessary legislation and policy frameworks, the development and implementation of programmes and projects, the creation of partnerships with national and multinational organisations and the establishment of a national machinery to address issues of gender inequality and women’s empowerment in society. Government is also a signatory to and has ratified several regional, continental and global instruments that not only seek to further define discrimination against women, but also commit Government to take measure to address gender issues in national socio-economic development. 12.2 By enshrining a non-discrimination clause in the Constitution that specifically prohibits discrimination on the grounds of gender, sex or marital status, Government has set a platform for the development of both legal and administrative measures to further eliminate discrimination against women. The effective implementation of the National Gender Policy and other policies that promote the advancement of women will not only complement but also enhance these efforts. On the ground, the application of affirmative action will ensure that women and men are treated equally in all aspects of life. In sectors such as Page | 101