Bongani Ndlovu
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Sunday News Reporter
WOMEN Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has called on families, communities and development partners to intensify efforts to combat poverty, inequality and climate change, warning that the growing challenges are threatening child welfare and national development.
Speaking during the 2026 National Launch of the International Day of Families in Lupane, Matabeleland North Province, on Friday, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the family unit remains the cornerstone of society and the first line of protection for children.
“This day reminds us that families are the primary source of love, protection, guidance, socialisation and support for children. The well-being of children is directly linked to the strength, stability and welfare of families,” she said.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing”, which focused attention on the widening disparities affecting households across the country.
The Minister said inequalities continue to manifest through poverty, unemployment and unequal access to education, healthcare, food security, decent shelter and economic opportunities.
“Children growing up in disadvantaged families are more vulnerable to vices that include dropping out of school, malnutrition, child labour, child marriages, abuse, neglect, drug and substance abuse and poor health outcomes,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said labour migration by parents was also contributing to emotional separation, educational disruption and growing social inequalities among children.
“It is therefore important for Government, communities, development partners and families themselves to work together in addressing these inequalities. Every child deserves access to quality education, healthcare, protection, nutrition and a safe environment,” she said.
The International Day of Families is commemorated globally every 15 May following a United Nations resolution adopted in 1993 to recognise the importance of families in social development.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa is committed to inclusive socio-economic development in line with Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
She said the Government, through her ministry, continues to empower communities, cooperatives and small businesses through programmes such as Internal Savings and Lending Schemes, entrepreneurship training, livelihood development initiatives and financial inclusion facilities supported by institutions including the Women’s Micro-Finance Bank, Smedco and the National Handicraft Centre.
“The Second Republic remains committed to improving the welfare of families and children through inclusive socio-economic development programmes,” she said.
The Minister also expressed concern over rising drug and substance abuse, saying it contributed to family breakdowns, school dropouts, gender-based violence, criminal activity and mental health challenges among youths. “We implore parents to be responsible parents that bring up children with family values,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa warned that climate change continues to worsen vulnerabilities, particularly in rural communities dependent on agriculture.
She said recurring droughts, poor harvests and economic hardships were placing severe pressure on families and negatively affecting children’s nutrition, education and overall welfare.
“It is important for all stakeholders to support climate resilience programmes and sustainable livelihoods initiatives,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
To strengthen social cohesion, the Ministry is rolling out family cohesion dialogue programmes at grassroots level to create platforms for communities to come up with local solutions to family-related challenges.
Minister Mutsvangwa also highlighted gender equality as critical in addressing inequalities affecting children and families.
The commemorations were held alongside the Matabeleland North Business Expo, where Minister Mutsvangwa praised micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives for their contribution to the economy.
She said the sector employs more than 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s workforce and contributes over 60 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
In Matabeleland North, MSMEs continue to drive growth in sectors such as furniture manufacturing, arts and crafts, tourism, fisheries and mining.
“When MSMEs grow, livelihoods improve, communities gain resilience and national development accelerates,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She urged local businesses to improve product quality, packaging and branding to unlock opportunities in regional and continental markets under SADC, Comesa and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Minister said her ministry will continue supporting market access, financing, value chain development and business skills training for SMEs and cooperatives.
A capacity-building workshop involving Nssa, Zimra, Prazand financial institutions was also held during the three-day expo to equip SMEs with critical business knowledge.
“This initiative is commendable and must be expanded,” she said.
The Minister further encouraged MSMEs to embrace digital transformation.
“The business environment is evolving rapidly. Adoption of digital technologies is no longer optional. I encourage MSMEs and cooperatives to leverage AI, e-commerce platforms, social media marketing and data analytics to reach local, national and global markets,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
derick.khumalo