adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
WOMEN in rural communities have been urged to fully utilise economic empowerment programmes being implemented in their districts in order to eradicate poverty in families.
In a speech read on his behalf at the Matabeleland South provincial women’s day and family’s day celebrations in Gwambe area by Bulilima District administrator Mrs Ethel Moyo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland South Abednico Ncube said empowerment programmes had setbacks that did not have to deter development of independent women.
“Measures have been put in place to ensure that women have access to affordable financial resources. The major problem however, is that the funds are undercapitalised and in some cases those who have borrowed are reneging on paying back.
“However, if a woman is empowered economically then it means that the whole community benefits. Therefore, despite stumbling blocks women should utilise every opportunity at their disposal to elevate themselves and maximise on it,” said Cde Ncube.
He said women had to take up various training in business idea generation, leadership, financial management and record keeping to acquire skills to successfully manage businesses.
Cde Ncube said the natural resources in the country were there to ensure that women were not plunged into poverty together with their families.
He said with proper training and skills some women were excelling in the farming industry despite unfavourable rainfall patterns.
“It is sad that 62 percent of households are deemed poor with women being the poorest. They do not have enough incomes to meet basic needs such as food and clothes, education, health and shelter.
“As a result they are not able to access loans as they do not have collateral which is demanded by most of the country’s financial institutions,” said Cde Ncube.
He raised a concern over high migration of parents who were leaving their children unattended in search of greener pastures.
Cde Ncube said this was resulting in the disintegration of families.
“Children are now being forced to assume the role of parents to their younger siblings after parents leave for neighbouring countries.
“Families have also been disoriented because of increasing divorce rates. A number of children lose their identity while growing up as they are raised in broken families; some grow up in the absence of their fathers,’’ said Cde Ncube.
He urged men to retain their role of being protectors of their families and not perpetrators of sexual abuse crimes.
He urged various institutions such as schools and churches to continue with thorough dissemination of information on gender based violence and rape within rural communities.
Cde Ncube also raised concerns over early child and forced marriage practices which were still prevalent in some communities and were being spearheaded by some religious sects.
He said a ZRP police report for the year 2014 had revealed that 10 982 cases of rape had been recorded last year.
Also speaking at the celebrations, Assistant Inspector Vivian Ncube from the Plumtree Victim Friendly Unit said the two youngest rape victims from Bulilima District were aged nine years and 11 months old respectively.
She said the nine-year-old girl had her bladder damaged during the tragic experience.
Asst Insp Ncube pleaded with community members to expose incidents of rape as most occurred within families with the perpetrator being a relative of the victim. Bulilima District Administrator Mrs Ethel Moyo raised concern over the high number of child headed families within rural communities.
She urged men to stop criticising women empowerment programmes and assume an active role in enhancing development of women for the betterment of their families.
The provincial international women’s days celebrations were held under the theme — Beijing +20: The journey towards women empowerment in Zimbabwe: success and challenges. The family’s day celebrations ran under the theme — Men in charge? Gender equality and children’s rights in contemporary families.
Online Reporter