adminTsitsi Tasaranarwo
Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwe has ratified and adopted several international, regional instruments that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Chief director for gender policy planning and programme management Mrs Lillian Matsika Takaendisa said at the Comesa Workshop on Gender Policy, Implementation Plan and Gender Planning Guidelines ain Harare yesterday women must be empowered economically.
“Over 56 percent of SMEs in Zimbabwe are owned by women, according to the 2021 ZimStat Survey. However, the majority of female businesses are at micro level. It is, therefore, important to empower women economically so that they participate meaningfully in wealth creation. Women empowerment is a powerful strategy to attain gender equality and to also reduce gender-based violence.
“I am glad that today we have representatives from women organisations, including women in business and I have no doubt that this workshop will improve your capacity in terms of gender mainstreaming and the empowerment of women.”
Mrs Takaendesa said that gender gaps must be narrowed between men and women.
“Gender imbalances in key sectors remain an acknowledged problem. Women continue to fall behind their male colleagues in terms of their participation in key economic sectors, public, private and political spheres. However, efforts are being made across all sectors to narrow the gender gaps.”
Speaking at the same workshop the Comesa director of gender and social affairs Mrs Simwapenga Hamusonde said there must be equal opportunities for everyone.
“The founding leaders of Comesa recognised that there cannot be sustainable development without the participation of women, men and youth.
Comesa treaty recognises socio economic differences of women, men and the need to take deliberate efforts to address the challenges gaps to make Comesa events benefit all.”
“I urge policy makers, academic institutions, private and public institutions, to take gender mainstreaming as a priority in order for us to have a better future as a country. Gone are the days when all the sectors should be male dominated. Let’s all embrace change for the betterment of our country. ‘There is a good corporate image when there is gender balance,” said Mrs Takaendesa.
Comesa senior gender mainstreaming officer Mrs Tsife Tadele Biyazen said that women must be given the opportunity to participate in key decision-making structures.
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