THE International Women’s Day commemorations, held this Friday in Marange, Manicaland Province, provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in advancing gender equality and empowering women.
Thousands of individuals gathered at Munyarari Primary School in Marange, Mutare Rural, where women expressed their gratitude for the support received from both the government and development partners in furthering their empowerment.
“We are appreciative of the support for us women with disabilities to start business ventures. We are being supported to start agricultural projects.
The inclusive development thrust by President Emmerson Mnangagwa is transforming our lives,” a community member said.
“The empowerment drive has capacitated us not to over-rely on men for survival. The empowerment programmes are improving our worth in society. We also want to thank the Women’s Bank for giving us money to start businesses. The support has transformed my life,” another added.
Development partners reflected on the strides made in the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment in Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe has shown promising progress in advancing women’s equality. We will continue to support gender equality in our collaborative efforts. We want to guarantee access to technology and support the fight to end all forms of violence against women.
Let us commit ourselves to promote gender equality and empowerment,” United Nations Resident Coordinator His Excellency Edward Kallon said.
“Through the Team Europe initiative on gender equality, we are supporting this cause with over €280 million from 2021 to 2027. We also recently committed an additional €7 million to further strengthen these efforts.
“Additionally, the European Investment Bank and STANBIC Bank have launched a €20 million gender facility to provide loans to women-owned businesses.
This is because we believe that by investing in women, we are investing in Zimbabwe’s future,” Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Per Lindgarde stated.
The government says while empowerment initiatives are bearing fruit, priority should also be on fighting vices such as discrimination, child sexual exploitation and gender-based violence.
“As Manicaland province, we are enjoying investments aiming to uplift the lives of women. Jopa Safe Market, Hauna Processing Plant, Cynara Diary and Chikanga mushroom project are some of the flagship investments brought to the province to uplift women.
We are proud that impactful change is noticeable among these and many women in Manicaland.
“Just like other provinces across Zimbabwe, Manicaland province has immensely benefited from various empowerment programmes initiated and driven by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
These include Pfumvudza4SHE initiative, Fisheries4SHE and Horticulture4SHE programmes,” Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza said.
“Women being abused should not suffer in silence as there are systems and laws that protect them. The government led by President Mnangagwa is determined to promote equal rights and you should fully utilise the human laws put in place.
Women and girls continue to face barriers affecting gender equality and empowerment.
The issue of gender equality is both a human right and empowerment issue,” Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small to Medium Enterprises Development Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said.
The well-attended commemorations saw a number of women being given tricycles, an assortment of food items, sanitary pads and agricultural implements, among other things.
