The Harmonized Social Cash Transfer Program in Zimbabwe: Achievements and Challenges

Abstract

The research article reviews the achievements and challenges that bewilder the harmonized social cash transfer (HSCT) program in Zimbabwe. World over HSCT programming has grown in terms of importance as a social protection service vehicle. Deploying a qualitative research design and documentary analytical framework corroborated by the capability approach, the study unpacks and brings to the fore the challenges and opportunities as nuances of HSCT programming in Zimbabwe. The study supports, adds another dimension to existing literature and challenges previous findings of HSCT programming in the Zimbabwean environment. Thus the study argues that HSCT programming in Zimbabwe registered noticeable achievements which make it a critical social protection program that ought to be integrated into the broader national framework of protecting the vulnerable groups. The study further argues that the HSCT program contributes immensely to raising the dignity of those on the margins through the promotion of resiliency and the general well-being of the communities. Thus the study recommends that the HSCT program in Zimbabwe be part of the government and not-for-profit organizations’ comprehensive package for administering social protection services.