COMMENT: Let’s honour and celebrate women’s sacrifices

ACCORDING to online literature, March is one of the most exciting months of the year as it is Women’s Month. It is a month about celebrating the struggles and successes of women throughout history, as well as in the present moment.

“If you are looking to celebrate Women’s Month 2024, there are many different ways that you can do it, such as learning about women’s history through biographies of amazing women and shopping from women-owned businesses. 

Women’s Month is a month-long celebration of women’s achievements and contributions to society. 

It originated in 1982 as women’s history week, which (US) Congress designated as beginning on 7 March. In 1987, Congress designated March as Women’s Month.”

In Zimbabwe, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, on the occasion to launch this year’s Women’s Month, said the empowerment of women was key to the health and social development of families, communities and countries.

“When women are living safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they can reach their full potential, contributing their skills to the workforce and can raise happier and healthier children,” Minister Mutsvangwa was quoted as saying.

She said there was a need to concentrate on areas that had a multiplier effect like Social Development Goal Five which focuses on gender equality.

Minister Mutsvangwa said while there are constitutional provisions to support gender equality, there was a need to improve awareness programmes.

“It’s not enough to have rights in the constitution when no one knows about those rights. 

It’s about raising awareness to potential beneficiaries,” she was quoted as saying by the local media, adding that Zimbabwe could utilise the 14 registered community radio stations to promote gender equality in communities.

As we celebrate the Women’s Month, it is prudent for everyone to show appreciation to all the women they come across. 

We also take this opportunity to remind men that no woman should be beaten up or abused, at any time of the year.