Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa, Senior Reporter
FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has been appointed Patron of Women Caris Brooke by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, in recognition of her sterling work in women’s empowerment, and she will spearhead a nationwide low-income housing empowerment initiative for women.
The enormous low-income women’s housing scheme, targeting marginalised and vulnerable women, is scheduled to be rolled out across the country’s 10 provinces following a national launch to be held soon.
The initiative follows one of the First Lady of Zimbabwe’s (Floz) high-riding, women-focused traditional bush luncheons held last year, where she brought together representatives from Government ministries, departments, parastatals and the private sector, to showcase various opportunities available to women across sectors.
The bush luncheon is an important forum where women meet with the First Lady in a quiet setting to sharpen skills, encourage networking, spark ideas, and support one another in developing solid business plans that contribute to the economy.
Announcing the appointment during a high-level interactive Women Caris Brooke meeting held in Harare, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the First Lady has been a beacon of hope and a fierce advocate for women’s rights and empowerment locally, regionally and globally.
“Your Excellency, the First Lady of Zimbabwe, we appreciate the work you are doing in empowering communities across the country, SADC and the globe. As a ministry, we kindly and humbly invite you to be our patron of this noble Women Caris Brooke initiative.
“As you are well aware of the hopes and aspirations of women and children, Your Excellency, we kindly ask you to accept this initiative,” he said.
In her acceptance speech, Dr Mnangagwa said doors were opening for women to achieve economic independence and family stability through meaningful participation in national development.
“I gladly accept to be Patron, as it empowers women from disadvantaged and disenfranchised backgrounds to develop those stands. I would like to thank the Ministry and your entire team for seeing it fit to appoint me,” she said.
Some initiatives by women empowerment champion Dr Mnangagwa, through her Angel of Hope Foundation, include providing women with machinery, grinding mills, starter packs, livestock, groceries and resources to open shops and food outlets, all aimed at generating income, improving livelihoods and building long-term wealth.
Other programmes offer exposure, teachings on inheritance and property rights, and the initiation of an open learning programme targeting both rural and urban communities in partnership with Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), Agric4She, Agrotourism4She, Women’s Market Galore a platform to sell products and network, among several others.
Dr Mnangagwa said women have been given dignity and should appreciate Government opportunities, be grateful for the respect shown, while recognising the importance of having a place to live.
“These are not just pieces of land; our communities depend on tangible assets such as land to achieve economic independence, family stability and inclusive progress. We need that support to ensure the programme’s success.
“Without securing assets, families remain vulnerable and growth inevitable, thereby sabotaging the achievement of an upper-middle-class Zimbabwe by 2030,” she said.
The Women Caris Brooke Patron, Dr Mnangagwa, said it was an honour that the programme has been extended to deserving women, giving them peace of mind, just as other groups such as youth and war veterans have benefitted.
She said that, according to the 2022 Zimbabwe Population and Housing Census Gender Thematic Report, women constitute 52 percent of Zimbabwe’s population and lead 39,4 percent of households.
“It goes without saying that the female gender cannot be disregarded, as the numbers requiring their own housing are quite significant.
“Too many women in our society face systematic violence, lack of equal employment opportunities and lack of property ownership, thereby trapping them in a cycle of poverty and exclusion from owning land,” Dr Mnangagwa said.
The First Lady said the Women Caris Brooke Initiative aligns with the SDGs on gender equality, Vision 2030 for inclusive development and housing policies for vulnerable groups.
Minister Garwe then saluted the First Lady for accepting her new role as Women Caris Brooke Initiative Patron, saying it is a powerful testament to her commitment to empower women and support their growth in all spheres of life.
“It represents more than just a programme, as it embodies a movement aimed at uplifting women from all walks of life. As the Ministry responsible for Local Government and Public Works, we are acutely aware of the challenges women face, from socio-economic barriers to cultural norms and societal pressures,” he said.
“These challenges can be daunting; however, it is through initiatives like this that we can create a supportive environment that fosters innovation, resilience and collaboration among women.”
Minister Garwe said they gathered not only to celebrate women but also to recognise their invaluable contributions to communities, the economy and the nation, signifying the strength, resilience and potential of all women across Zimbabwe.
He said all stakeholders involved in the scheme should continue engaging in discussion, inspiring one another and taking action that can lead to a more equitable society, as the President says no place and no one should be left behind.
Local Government and Public Works Permanent Secretary Dr John Bhasera congratulated the First Lady for accepting to be patron, while unpacking the Women Caris Brooke initiative, saying it takes a leaf while perfecting itself from other schemes such as the war veterans and youth league empowerment programmes.
Perm Sec Bhasera said the initiative involves land identification using devolved Government structures.
The land will be given to reputable developers, with a quota allocated to women developers to set up infrastructure, including tarred roads, water and sewer reticulation, and electricity, which will be thoroughly supervised by technical teams.
He added that, as part of corporate social responsibility, developers will also build social amenities such as clinics, among others.
Among the stakeholders, Mrs Julia Mapuwanani from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development said the noble housing initiative would see many women empowered.
“As we have heard, there are many challenges and barriers that women are facing. When a woman does not have a decent place to live, or ownership of resources or property, she cannot participate effectively in any sphere of life. She cannot have a voice. So thank you very much.
“Our women will be empowered, and they will be able to participate effectively in all spheres of life, and their voices will be amplified. Another important issue is that women will also be able to use their properties as collateral so they can obtain loans from banks.”
Ms Jesca Kaneyangwa, representing the Permanent Secretary for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, applauded the First Lady for accepting a role in pushing for the upliftment of women.
“Thank you, our First Lady, for your humility. We are happy that you have become our patron because, as fellow women, you understand us better.
“We promise that after empowering us, we will remain humble as wives to our husbands we are learning from you,” she said jokingly, adding, “Our husbands, even if we become landlords, we won’t be a threat.”
Association of Rural District Councils (ARDC) Secretary-General Isaac Matsilele said he was happy to be part of the noble initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, with the First Lady accepting to serve as patron.
“More often than not, local authorities are seen as a missing link in development issues, but we came to support as a vital link, as administrators of land regardless of ownership.
“So when women get land, there will be family stability, culminating in national stability,” he said.
Gender Director from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Silvia Sithole, said the housing scheme aligns perfectly with their thrust, which places emphasis on security issues, noting that there can be no talk of security where there is no decent accommodation.
EMA Director of Environmental Management Services, Mr Steady Kangata, who also congratulated the First Lady, said they are very supportive of the noble initiative, pledging to work together through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
“Congratulations to our First Lady for being appointed Patron of Women Caris Brooke,” he said.
“Also, as our Patron for Environment, we are more than glad, as housing development and the environment work hand in glove. So while rolling out this initiative, we as EMA will also participate by stipulating our requirements so that beneficiaries live well.”
The Permanent Secretary for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Edgar Seenza, said the initiative was clear testimony of a nation geared towards empowering its women.
