adminWOMEN Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Cde Nyasha Chikwinya has said women are the major beneficiaries of land permits that are being given to A1 farmers by Government.
The Government is issuing permits as security of tenure to A1 farmers, who constitute the majority of the resettled farmers.
Mini audits done in the past have shown that this category of farmers is more productive than the Model A2 farmers who have bigger farms.
In a telephone interview, Cde Chikwinya said land, which is one of the most valued properties one can have, is usually put in the hands of men.
“This is a welcome development because everyone in society now understands the importance of empowering women. I am pleased by the move because men are the ones who are pushing for it (women ownership of land) and this shows that men too are realising that women deserve to be economically empowered,” she said.
“In reality, women are the ones who spend much of their time in farms. Traditionally, it is well known that women played a leading role or big part in preparing the land for farming. Ownership of land by women is then crucial in that it helps to give women confidence to participate even in decision making. Women are over the moon because they are not being deprived their right to own land.”
The Minister challenged women to work extra hard in improving their yields. She said women are the beacon of the country, hence they have a role to play in the survival of their families and the nation.
“I want to encourage women to demonstrate and prove to the doubting Thomases that they can effectively use the land. They must be productive and if they have challenges the ministry is there to assist. Women are the cornerstone of any development as they spend most of the time with the family and they know the problem, the solution, and how to solve the problem,” said Cde Chikwinya.
Lands and Rural Settlement Minister Douglas Mombeshora said the permits are premised on the idea that everyone is equal and that both males and females should enjoy equal ownership of economic resources. He said land ownership wrangles are now history as women now have security of tenure.
“It (land permit) provides details of the allotee together with the spouses in situations of polygamous marriage.
“This protects women who are in most cases the ones who work and toil on the land but more often than not, are the victims who get chased off the land when a dispute arises,” said Cde Mombeshora.
Online Reporter