Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Pete Vowles and the outgoing UN Women Zimbabwe country representative, Ms Fatou Aminata Lo, have paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira at his offices in Harare.
Prof Murwira first met with Ms Aminata Lo who was making her farewell courtesy call.
In his speech, Prof Murwira thanked the diplomat for the commitment and dedication that she exhibited in improving the status of women and girls in Zimbabwe during her tour of duty.
“This is demonstrated by the close working relationship she created between the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development and UN-Women, as well as other relevant ministries to the mandate of UN-Women,” he said.
He assured her that the Government was committed to the empowerment of all women and girls, their protection against gender-based violence, inclusion in decision-making positions, raising their dignity and full potential in all political, economic, social, and cultural spheres.
He also highlighted that under her leadership, the partnership between Zimbabwe and UN Women was elevated to productive levels.
Prof Murwira also highlighted projects UN Women complemented Government efforts towards the National Strategy on Women in Leadership and Decision – making and Zimbabwe’s first Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) National Action Plan; and spearheaded the Marriage Act that outlawed child marriages below 18 years; as well as economic empowerment opportunities, entrepreneurial skills development, and HIV response initiatives, and the Spotlight Initiative High Level Political Compact (HLPC) in 2022 for the elimination of Gender Based Violence.
Prof Murwira acknowledged that more still needs to be done to achieve total elimination of violence against women and girls, but the footprint has already been firmly established.
He said in May this year, the UN Women Executive Board visited Zimbabwe to have a deeper appreciation of UN Women’s programmes and operational activities in support of the Government of Zimbabwe under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (ZUNSDCF).
“That truly reflected on the good working relations between UN Women and the Government of Zimbabwe as indicated by the high-profile meetings held during the visit, including with the President, His Excellency, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
“As you leave, we would like you to know that we appreciated your contribution in the delivery of the UN-Women mandate in Zimbabwe,” Prof Murwira said.
Meanwhile, British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Vowles, said they discussed various issues centred mainly on the collaboration between the two countries.
On investment corporation, he said: “That’s something that we have been working hard to strengthen the investment corporation, that means bringing British companies to Zimbabwe and also bringing Zimbabwean companies to the UK.
“And particularly making sure that Zimbabwean companies to make the most of our duty-free access to British markets so that they can export at minimum cost so that they can bring back foreign currency to Zimbabwe,” he said.
