NSSA Finalising Maternity Protection Scheme for Informal Sector Women

By Monalisa Ntibane

The National Social Security Authority is finalising a maternity protection scheme aimed at providing income support and social security cover for women, particularly those in the informal sector who currently lack formal protection during pregnancy and childbirth.

The initiative, which is at an advanced stage of approval, is expected to address a long-standing gap in Zimbabwe’s social protection system where thousands of self-employed women lose income during maternity periods due to the absence of structured benefits.

NSSA general manager Dr Charles Shava said the scheme is currently being processed for approval before implementation.

Dr Shava said the maternity scheme forms part of wider reforms aimed at expanding social security coverage to previously excluded groups, with special focus on women working outside formal employment.

He said the maternity scheme is at the active stage of being motivated for approval by NSSA principals before implementation.

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