Editorial Comment: Amplify women’s voices at all decision-making levels

AS the world today marks International Women’s Day, Zimbabwe stands united in celebrating the immeasurable contributions of its women and girls to national development.

This year’s theme, “Give To Gain”, resonates profoundly with our national experience — the understanding that when women give of themselves, their families gain stability, and when communities invest in women, the nation gains prosperity.

The First Lady, Her Excellency, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, captures this sentiment in her special message on this auspicious day: “Acts of selflessness, compassion and service have the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and uplift our nation. Giving becomes a pathway to gaining dignity, unity and hope for all.”

This philosophy finds practical expression through the Angel of Hope Foundation, which supports the most vulnerable, particularly women and girls, through access to healthcare, education and economic empowerment.

From the Toddlers Warm Bowl Project in Epworth to rehabilitating young people affected by drug abuse at the Dadaya Training Centre, the foundation demonstrates that transformation begins with small, consistent acts of giving.

Encouragingly, on Friday, during the burial of national hero Brigadier-General Jonathan Willie Hungwe (Retired) at the National Heroes Acre, President Mnangagwa highlighted that “our collective efforts to improve service delivery, domesticate critical mineral value chains and beneficiation, as well as to empower our youth and women, are yielding positive results”.

This vision recognises that women’s empowerment cannot occur in isolation from structural economic transformation.

When Zimbabwe processes its lithium, platinum and gold domestically, it creates industries and livelihoods.

Ensuring women’s integration into these emerging value chains means the gains multiply across households and communities.

The evidence of Zimbabwe’s progress is documented and increasingly recognised internationally.

The World Bank has endorsed Zimbabwe’s women economic empowerment policies, citing progress under Government-led gender reforms.

The bank’s findings reveal that 80 percent of girls in Zimbabwe aspire to attain higher education — a powerful indicator that the next generation is ambitious and ready to claim its place.

This aspiration is matched by opportunity through initiatives such as the ZANU PF Women’s League Presidential Empowerment Fund, which allocated US$300 000 per province for women’s projects.

In Manicaland alone, over 60 000 chicks have been distributed to women, with training programmes in baking, poultry and farming reaching households directly.

UN Women has acknowledged Zimbabwe’s notable policy reforms, including the National Gender Policy (2025), the Gender-Based Violence Strategy and the Marriages Act (2022).

These frameworks signal that commitment to gender equality is institutionalised.

The “Give To Gain” theme also requires honest confrontation of persistent challenges.

Gender-based violence costs Zimbabwe approximately US$1,36 billion annually — nearly 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

As World Bank country manager Ms Elida Martinez observed, “Safety is the floor. Without it, nothing else stands.”

The First Lady has been at the forefront of this fight, speaking strongly against gender-based violence and urging families to live peacefully.

Her message that “mothers are the foundation of the home” reaffirms women’s critical role in shaping both the economy and the nation’s moral fabric.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, Zimbabwe can take pride in strides made towards gender equality.

The journey from empowerment to transformation requires sustained effort, continued investment and unwavering political will.

It demands that every policy and programme be scrutinised through a gender lens, and that women’s voices be amplified at all decision-making levels.

The First Lady’s message reminds us: “Meaningful transformation begins with small acts. Each gesture of giving strengthens families, communities and the nation as a whole.”

Let every Zimbabwean embrace the “Give To Gain” spirit — giving time to mentor, resources to support women’s entrepreneurship and voices to advocate for policies protecting women’s rights.

In giving, we gain stronger families, more resilient communities and a more prosperous nation.

Today, we celebrate the women of Zimbabwe — the mothers who nurture, entrepreneurs who innovate, teachers who educate, farmers who feed and leaders who inspire.

May you continue to shine, to give and to gain.

Happy International Women’s Day!