Chronicle Editor
Jean Sigauke, Sunday News Reporter
THE Government and other development partners have been urged to continue providing support to rural women and to include them in development programmes of the country as they are integral in the achievement of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) targets.
Speaking at the International Day of Rural Women in Mangwe District last week, the District Development Coordinator (DDC), Ms Rorisang Makhurane said there was a need to continue socially empowering rural women.
“There is a need to provide support to rural women’s activities and to include them in the development of the country as they are integral in the achievement of NDS1 targets especially on economic growth and stability, food security and nutrition, social protection and wellbeing, environmental protection, climate resilience and natural resource management among others,” said Ms Makhurane.
She said women in rural areas, just like everyone else should continue to be socially empowered through provision of information, services, appropriate infrastructure facilities and knowledge on health, education and other social matters.
Ms Makhurane said indications were that in most cases these women were being left behind, hence the need for the community to play their part in making sure that they were not left behind as the country progress towards an upper middle-income society by 2030.
“We need to make sure that our growth is inclusive especially if we consider that women constitute more than 52 percent of the population of Zimbabwe and more than half of them live in rural areas. The Government of Zimbabwe believes that the role of women in agriculture and rural areas is essential.”
Ms Makhurane said for the achievement of sustainable development, there was a need to continuously involve women through information sharing, empowering and capacitating rural women to participate in the devolution process to ensure that their needs for development were met.
She said in line with President Mnangagwa’s call to leave no place and no-one behind in the development process, rural women also need to be adequately engaged in that process. She encouraged people to join hands in celebrating the role and achievements of women and girls in rural areas and be passionate about protecting them from all forms of gender-based violence, a menace that has eroded their destiny.
Ward 12 councillor, Clr Peter Ndlovu said they appreciate rural women for the work they do as they work hard doing household chores and going to the fields.The commemoration was characterised by provision of healthcare services that saw the women undergoing cervical cancer screening tests, family planning services and also sexual health lessons on how to reduce the transmission of HIV and Aids which were also offered to men among other key activities.
The BaKalanga community radio was present at the event and encouraged women to make use of the station as a tool for development that would not only amplify their voices as women but to also showcase their talents, while also prioritising things that affect them the most.
The event was held at Chief Wasi Macingwana’s homestand under the theme “Rural women cultivating good food for all.”
Globally, the International Day of Rural Women is celebrated each year and October 15 is dedicated to the millions of women who live in remote rural areas. It celebrates their achievements and contributions towards rural development, agriculture and highlight efforts being done to promote gender equality and women empowerment in rural areas. — @[email protected]
derick.khumalo