First Lady hails women’s role in development

Blessings Chidakwa-Herald Reporter

FIRST Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has lauded the indispensable role women play in national development, describing them as the backbone of communities and pillars of economic and social transformation.

A passionate champion of women’s empowerment, Dr Mnangagwa said her office will continue complementing Government efforts by breaking down barriers and creating an enabling environment for women to fully participate in business.

The First Lady continues to champion inclusive development by placing economic tools directly into the hands of everyday Zimbabweans through empowerment schemes such as Agric4She, Big Five Empowerment, Widows Empowerment, and Poultry4Vanambuya Empowerment.

Her work, often carried out under the Angel of Hope Foundation, reflects a strong focus on community-based solutions to poverty and unemployment.

Speaking at the second edition of the Unrecognised Women and Men in Business Luncheon and Awards in Harare on Saturday, the First Lady, who was represented by Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, highlighted the critical role women play in economic development.

The awards ran under the theme: “Recognise, Empower and Celebrate.”

Dr Mnangagwa said the title of the awards, Unrecognised Women in Business, speaks volumes about the silent strength, tireless effort, and innovative spirit that thrive within the nation, often without the spotlight they deserve.

“Many of you have built empires from kitchen tables, transformed passion into profit with limited resources, and navigated complex markets with absolute grit and determination.

“You are the backbone of our communities, the unsung heroes who create jobs, uplift families, and contribute significantly to the gross domestic product of our beloved Zimbabwe. Today, we are changing that narrative. We are not just recognising you, we are celebrating you,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa said the invaluable contributions of women in business remind us that empowering women is not just a necessity but a catalyst for inclusive economic development.

The First Lady said women drive prosperity and social transformation, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. Dr Mnangagwa said research shows 56 percent of SMEs are women-owned and contribute 60 percent to the GDP, making women’s businesses a vital cog in the journey towards a “Prosperous and Empowered Upper-Middle Economy by 2030.”

“As the First Lady, I am a passionate advocate for the economic empowerment of women. I believe that when women thrive, families thrive, communities thrive, and indeed, the entire nation thrives.

“We cherish the unique ability of women to reinvest profits into families and communities, creating a ripple effect that strengthens social cohesion and resilience. We cannot achieve Vision 2030 or build the Zimbabwe we aspire to without the full and active participation of every woman in our economy,” she said.

The First Lady said her office will continue to complement Government efforts by working tirelessly to remove barriers, enhance access to productive resources, and champion policies that foster gender equality in all sectors.

She said it was a special privilege to honour women who, for too long, have toiled in the shadows, whose ingenuity and dedication have driven the economy forward without the recognition they rightfully deserve.

“Initiatives aimed at financial inclusion, business training, and market access are not just buzzwords; they are vital tools to unlock the immense potential that resides within each one of you.”

Despite the challenges they sometimes face, Dr Mnangagwa encouraged women to remain resilient.

Nyembesy Household and clothing sales representative Samantha Mawoyo (left) shows Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri some of their products, while Ms Primrose January look on during Zimbabwe Unrecognised Women Business Awards in Harare on Saturday.

“I know firsthand the challenges many of you face – access to finance, market linkages, mentorship, and sometimes mere stigmatisation in a male-dominated world. These are hurdles women entrepreneurs often encounter.

“But what I also know, having met and interacted with so many of you across our beautiful country, is your unwavering resilience. Your ability to turn adversity into opportunity, to innovate, and to persevere is truly inspiring,” she said.

The First Lady said the administration led by President Mnangagwa is fully committed to creating an enabling environment for women in business.

“The Second Republic has lived up to the dictates of Section 80 of our 2013 Constitution by making women’s issues cross-cutting in all 14 pillars of the National Development Strategy 1.

“The Government has also provided further direction through the National Gender Policy, National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Policy, and the Broad-Based Women Economic Empowerment Framework,” she said. Dr Mnangagwa, who continues to lead by example through her philanthropic efforts and hands-on outreach programmes uplifting women across Zimbabwe, said the African Continental Free Trade Area also provides a significant market opportunity for women’s businesses.

“We may enter this profitable market by collaborating, syndicating, and forming partnerships. I encourage you to make use of capacity-building programmes offered by ZimTrade and the Standards Association of Zimbabwe to prepare for export markets,” she said.

The Mother of the Nation, who also takes a leading role in mending broken homes and promoting harmony in families, urged women to balance work and family.

“As women entrepreneurs, may I also remind you of the need to embrace a balanced work-family relationship. Let us avoid being consumed by the desire to grow profits and neglect our important role in nurturing our families,” she said.

Amai Mnangagwa, whose unwavering quest is to see a better society with well-mannered people, also tackled social ills.

“Our modern children are experimental and prone to many social ills, including drug and substance abuse. The threat is non-selective, impacting both wealthy and poor households.

“If this threat is allowed to spread, families will be destroyed, causing distress and poor performance in women-led businesses. Let us all come together to combat this threat and protect our families and businesses,” she said.

To the nominees and award recipients, Dr Mnangagwa said they are more than just business owners.

“You are role models. You are trailblazers. You are living proof that with dedication and determination, anything is possible. Your stories will inspire countless other women and girls to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, believe in their capabilities, and reach for their dreams,” she said.

“As you walk across this stage, remember that you are not just receiving an award; you are accepting a mandate to continue leading, innovating, and breaking barriers. The future of our economy, and indeed the future of our nation, is brighter because of your contributions.”

The First Lady’s unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment continues to inspire and catalyse progress across Zimbabwe. Event organiser Mrs Primrose January applauded her for the empowerment initiatives she is driving countrywide.

“I have discovered that there are a lot of people doing good things who are not being recognised, so I thought it was a good idea to reward them. At the same time, it will motivate them,” she said.

Nigerian entrepreneur and social influencer Ms Eni Edibia echoed the First Lady’s sentiments, emphasising the need to motivate women to fully contribute to national development.

“It feels so amazing to be recognised by the Zimbabwean people and especially the organiser of the awards. What really caught my attention was the recognition of young people doing business.

“It is rare people usually want established household names but this event is literally celebrating young, new entrepreneurs. I feel so proud to be part of this,” she said.

Social influencer Felix Machingambi said uplifting one another is the key.

“My call to other men out there is: let’s connect the underprivileged with others who can help them make a living, because the world today is about connections,” he said.

Dr Mnangagwa, a champion of economic empowerment, has rolled out a range of grassroots programmes aimed at transforming the livelihoods of women, youth, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups across Zimbabwe.

Her initiatives, rooted in self-reliance and local productivity, are reshaping the economic landscape in rural and peri-urban communities.

One of her flagship efforts is the Agric4She Initiative, a broad programme targeting women in agriculture.

Through sub-programmes such as Pfumvudza4She, Poultry4She, Horticulture4She, Fisheries4She, and Banana4She, the initiative equips women with farming inputs, training, and technical support. The goal is to boost household food security and promote women-led agribusinesses.

In a complementary move, Dr Mnangagwa launched the Big Five Empowerment Package in 2024, a rural development blueprint anchored in five economic pillars: horticulture, livestock production, poultry farming, aquaculture, and beekeeping.

The programme has provided communities with start-up resources, skills training, and market linkages to stimulate local enterprise.

For elderly women, the First Lady unveiled the Poultry4Vanambuya Empowerment Scheme, distributing free-range chickens and feed to help senior citizens sustain themselves.

The project, introduced in January 2025, has been lauded for restoring dignity and promoting independence among the elderly.

Another key initiative is the Widows Empowerment Programme, launched in the Midlands Province in late 2024.

The programme supports widows with business start-up kits, including food carts, household goods, and small-scale farming inputs. Its aim is to lift women out of poverty and cushion them against economic hardship following the loss of a spouse.

Dr Mnangagwa has also prioritised skills development through vocational training centres operating under her patronage.

Young people especially women and girls are being trained in soap making, tailoring, baking, cosmetology, ICT, and electronics repair.

The initiative is designed to equip them with practical skills to start small businesses and reduce dependency.

The awards ceremony recognised several individuals for their contributions to economic development and their inspirational roles in society.