Fostering sustainable regional development: The complementary roles of unpaid work reforms and entrepreneurship training for women and youth in COMESA\. Cases of Zimbabwe and Democratic Republic of the Congo \(DRC\)\.<a id="footnote-ref-2"></a>[\[1\]](#footnote-2)
Abstract
The general objective of the study was to examine how the complementary implementation of unpaid work reforms and entrepreneurship training for women and youth could create more enabling conditions for women and youth to participate in and benefit from regional economic integration in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa \(COMESA\) region using Zimbabwe and the DRC as case studies\. The study adopted Mixed\-Methods Approach which combines qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem\. In\-depth Interviews and Focus Group Discussions were used as qualitative data collection methods\. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data\. The closed ended questionnaire was used as a quantitative data gathering tool\. The International Futures \(IFs\) model was then used to analyse the data, patterns of unpaid domestic and care work in the DRC and Zimbabwe\. The selection of Zimbabwe and DRC as case studies enabled comparative analysis to identify patterns, similarities, and differences\. The key findings from the study were: first, women and youth from both Zimbabwe and the DRC face a disproportionate burden of unpaid work that is, looking after the sick, children, the elderly and the injured; secondly, women and youth lack formal entrepreneurship training and financial support and thirdly, some cultural norms, values and undocumented patriarchy tendencies in both countries, though they differ in country contexts, projects men as superior to females causing unequal distribution of unpaid work
The findings from the study have several important policy implications for the COMESA region, with a focus on Zimbabwe and DRC: First, there is need to implement policies and legislation that should address or enable unpaid work to be distributed evenly between men and women, such as paid family leave, childcare subsidies, establishment of child care centres, and awareness campaigns to challenge gender norms\. Secondly, there is need to develop comprehensive entrepreneurship training programs tailored to the needs of women and youth in both urban and rural areas, covering topics such as business planning, financial management, marketing, and access to finance\. Thirdly, some cultural norms, values and patriarchy tendencies to be revisited through engaging men in gender discussions\.
Key Words: Fostering Sustainable Regional Integration Unpaid Care Reforms Entrepreneurship Training COMESA Zimbabwe DRC
1\.0 Introduction