Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter
RURAL women have asked Government to provide them with resources including land so that they can fend for their families and not always depend on their husbands for survival.
They said in line with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, there must be women-specific programmes by the Government which must also include the provision of water through borehole drilling as well as a specific quota in land allocation.
Women in Zimbabwe are still heavily marginalised in land distribution as they account for less than 15 percent of land owners despite providing 70 percent of all agricultural labour.
According to the 2022 Census results, women constitute 52 percent of the total population and 86 percent of those residing in the countryside depend on land for their livelihoods.
In interviews during the 2022 commemorations of the International Rural Women’s Day held at Landa John Nkomo High School in Tsholotsho last Friday, the women said they need Government support for them to add value to their worth and also contribute towards the realisation of Vision 2030.
“This is a very special day for us, it’s a day that teaches us how to keep our families intact, teach our children proper ethos of life so that when they have their own families, they will know what is expected of them and their importance as women too.
“We appreciate that this year’s celebrations are here in Tsholotsho. Our appeal to the Government is that they should come up with developmental projects specifically for women like boreholes so that we can venture into market gardening, especially given what this year’s theme says as we have just heard. Such projects will see us being able to educate our children, not to rely on our husbands always and besides some women are widows,” said Ms Senelisiwe Sibanda from Zenzeleni area, Bhule 1 under Ward 12.
Mrs Cathrine Sibindi from Jahe Village said women need to be capacitated so that they can be respected instead of being remembered only when it came to bedroom matters.
“This day provides a great opportunity for us to be seen as important because some people view women as mere sex objects who are important and necessary in the bedroom and when it comes to tilling the land. Our wish is for the authorities to live the talk and empower us to empower ourselves. However, being empowered does not mean that we will then disrespect our husbands which could be the fear in some men,” said Mrs Sibindi.
Ms Nyathi from the San community in Gariya village said more farming inputs must be availed to women so that they can become food independent.
“We appeal for more farming inputs from the Government to be able to be food independent instead of always asking for food handouts,” said Ms Nyathi.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Sithembiso Nyoni said the Second Republic is aware of the challenges faced by rural women, especially in Matabeleland North province where water challenges are well documented.
“I want all rural women to know that His Excellency, President Mnangagwa has brought in several projects in rural areas and all of these programmes are women-biased. Intwasa Presidential Scheme, for it to be a success, women play an active role.
“As a Ministry we have also been busy training women on various skills like making detergents, cooking oil, soaps and so forth,” said Minister Nyoni.
The national commemorations were also attended by the Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Jennifer Mhlanga, permanent secretary in the Ministry Mr Moses Mhike and other senior officials from the Ministry, Senator Alice Dube, Tsholotsho South legislator Cde Musa Ncube, headman who is also Tsholotsho High School headmaster Mr Sicelo Dube, senior Government officials from Matabeleland North, Tsholotsho Rural District Council acting chief executive officer Dr Bryton Malandule as well as scores of women.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme; ‘Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All.
Online Reporter