| Abstract: | The nature of underdevelopment is examined for its role in shaping the current structure of women's work in Zimbabwe. Explicit colonial policies that alienated land, created a system of migrant labor, and discriminated against women in formal sector employment have an enduring legacy. The diversity of women's roles in the peasant farming, commercial farming, urban informal and formal sectors are examined. The limited available evidence concerning fertility in relation to proximate determinants and women's socio-economic status is analyzed. While women are still predominantly engaged in the informal sector, age at marriage, women's education, working for remuneration, and partner's education are associated with lower fertility. Despite a precarious economic situation, the social, legal, and economic needs of women are beginning to be addressed through popular initiatives and government programs. |
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