Key quotes from the launch included:
“The Equanomics initiative is a remarkable advancement, and I believe it will significantly benefit my Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion in our endeavours to achieve Gender Responsive Budgeting within the Government.” Hon. Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs

"Despite progress in human development, entrenched economic disparities endure—disproportionately affecting women, girls & other disadvantaged groups."  Lealem Dinku, UNDP Zimbabwe Deputy Resident Representative.
The panel discussion addressed various topics, including gender-responsive budgeting (GRB), tax justice, the inclusion of the informal sector, tax incentives for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a proposed simplified tax regime for women informal traders, an agreement to extend the SADC Simplified Trade Facility to incorporate gender-specific quotas, and deliberations on the Ministry of Finance's gender-neutral tax policy in light of prevailing gender inequalities.

The discussions conducted during ZITF 2025 underscored fiscal policy as a crucial factor in advancing gender equality in Zimbabwe. The event created a framework for equitable and sustainable development by prioritising women's perspectives, leveraging regional collaborations, and highlighting specific actions.
It was also discussed that despite efforts to close the gender gap, economic structures continue to sustain inequality, particularly through tax systems and public spending that frequently overlook the unique needs and contributions of women.  Regressive tax schemes, such as value-added tax on basic items like period products, disproportionately impose a heavier financial burden on women.  Public expenditure analysis indicates substantial shortcomings, especially in social infrastructure investment, which forces women into unpaid caregiving roles, limiting their participation in the waged economy.

Melusi Tshuma, the National Coordinator Tax for SDGs, presented at the launch that the EQUANOMICS program seeks to confront the existing circumstances by advocating for reforms that improve fiscal governance to be more inclusive, transparent, and attuned to gender considerations.  Proposed remedies will include tax reforms, focused public expenditure, gender-responsive budgeting, data gathering and monitoring, and awareness campaigns, among other measures.
The Zimbabwe International Tax Forum (ZITF) has initiated dialogues regarding the equity of Zimbabwe's taxation and development systems.  The existing tax framework frequently imposes an excessive tax burden on SMEs and start-ups. This adversely affects domestic entrepreneurship and local economic resilience.  The government ought to contemplate providing tax concessions to SMEs to facilitate their establishment prior to tax obligations.
The lack of gender-disaggregated data is a critical issue, with ZIMSTAT advised to participate from the planning phase through to implementation to guarantee the incorporation of gender views in all data gathering procedures. However, household surveys are hindered by inadequate funding, impeding evidence-based planning and the monitoring of advancements in tax fairness and gender-sensitive budgeting.

EQUANOMICS is an initiative designed to reconfigure fiscal policy with a gender perspective, seeking to alleviate women's poverty by tackling gender-specific fiscal effects, eradicate economic discrimination via targeted tax reforms, expenditures, and investments, and secure sufficient funding to uphold commitments to gender equality.
The EQUANOMICS initiative will implement a series of specific measures to integrate gender equality into Zimbabwe's fiscal framework.  The activities encompass formulating a Gender Policy for the Ministry of Finance, analysing tax policy for gender equity, evaluating public expenditure through a gender lens, executing gender-responsive budgeting, integrating gender tagging within budget frameworks, devising a gender-sensitive tax strategy, fostering public discourse on fiscal matters, enhancing transparency and leadership cultivation, endorsing the Gender Equality Seal for public entities, and establishing a coalition for gender-responsive economies.

This project transcends mere technical change; it represents a movement to transform the underpinnings of economic governance.  The EQUANOMICS initiative is establishing a new fiscal compact that is equitable, inclusive, and aligned with sustainable development goals by uniting state institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, ZIMRA, and the Ministry of Women Affairs with grassroots perspectives.  As Zimbabwe initiates this endeavour, EQUANOMICS serves as a clarion call to reconceptualise the role of economies in equitably serving all individuals and to transform public finance into a formidable instrument for gender justice.