adminHerald Reporter
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and African diplomats in Zimbabwe will co-host Africa Day commemorations on May 25 in Harare under the African Union theme “African Year of Human Rights with particular focus on the rights of women”. The annual event is expected to bring together Government officials, African diplomats and other key stakeholders to interact, celebrate Africa Day and exchange views on how to drive the African agenda forward.
Various entertainment events have been lined up including top performances by the police band, Angolan popular singer Mr Menezes, Zimbabwean and Malawian cultural groups and a poem by seven-year-old Leon Bamu on one of the AU key aspirations “Silencing the guns by 2020”.
In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the theme supported the African Union Agenda 2063 where Africa aspires to be a continent “where development is people-driven, unleashing the potential of its women and youths”.
“Through this aspiration, the African woman will be fully empowered in all spheres, with equal social, political and economic rights including the rights to own and inherit property, sign contracts, register and manage a business.
“Rural women will have access to productive assets including land, credit, inputs and financial services,” he said.
The ministry said this year’s theme resonated with Government’s thrust on gender equality.
“The Constitution of Zimbabwe contains elaborate and extensive rights for women. Some of the key gender equality provisions are the gender parity provisions contained in Section 17, Section 80 which gives equal rights and opportunities to women in relation to guardianship of children, opportunities in political, economic and social activities.
“Section 80 also outlaws all laws, customs, traditions and cultural practices that infringe on the rights of women conferred by the Constitution.”
Online Reporter
Peter Tanyanyiwa