Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday urged women to actively seize economic opportunities and take the lead in enterprise development, innovation and industrial growth, while also assuring that Government will continue removing barriers to participation, particularly limited access to finance and workspaces.
In his address to more than 8 000 women at the Young Women for Economic Development (YW4ED) Convention in Harare yesterday, the President said the importance of women’s empowerment as one of Government’s pertinent strategies for lifting the people out of poverty into prosperity, gender equality and realisation of broader inclusive sustainable development could not be over-emphasised.
“Be assured that my Government stands ready to scale up support for a gender sensitive development agenda that is inclusive, accommodating all the people and entrepreneurs in our country,” he said.
“Under this approach, we are accelerating the roll-out of the Empowerment Fund; skills development programmes; SME and Cooperative support, as well as market access initiatives.
“I challenge you to seize the various economic opportunities and position yourselves at the forefront of enterprise development, innovation, and industrial growth.”
President Mnangagwa emphasised that it was critically important that women use empowerment facilities and funds availed with greater transparency and a results-oriented approach.
The resources, he added, must serve as a catalyst and critical capital for increased production and productivity, as well as growth and diversification of women-led enterprises.
“I commend the ongoing efforts to strengthen the operational capacity of your organisation.
“The strategic interventions, such as vehicles, among other resources, to sub-national levels must further enhance coordination and improve grassroots mobilisation, so that programmes are effectively implemented.
“In line with the Second Republic’s people-centred development philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind, I am pleased that the Presidential Empowerment Fund is having a transformative impact on the social and economic well-being of women and the youth, including members of this organisation,” he said.
Individually and collectively, President Mnangagwa said women must find a niche to exploit and provide ‘Made in Zimbabwe’ goods and products.
“As you pursue the various economic empowerment programmes being implemented by our Zanu-PF-led Government, I urge you to stand firm as champions of unity, peace-building, social cohesion, and harmony.
“You are the emerging heroines of our nation. Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo,” he said.
President Mnangagwa commended the YW4ED, together with other stakeholders, for implementing impactful, community-based programmes nationwide.
He added that their partnership with the Zanu-PF Women’s League regarding the implementation of livelihoods initiatives was improving household incomes.
“The projects are helping women to build resilience and adaptation capacities, more so in an era of climate-induced calamities such as droughts and floods.
“Equally, the Presidential Small Livestock Pass-On Scheme, being implemented across all provinces, is an important model of inclusive wealth creation and empowerment. Well-done.
“Through the policies and programmes being implemented by our Zanu-PF-led Government, madzimai ose ngavaite mari, pfuma nezvipfuyo (all women should make money, create wealth and have livestock).
“In keeping with the ongoing global digital transformation agenda, the skills training workshops on ICTs are equipping young women with competencies for the modern, smart and intelligent economy of the future. I urge you to build on the digital training initiatives and embrace emerging technologies,” said the President.
President Mnangagwa added that the YW4ED’s impact is reflected across the national leadership spectrum and body politik as the organisation had evolved into a vibrant, progressive force, with strong grassroots structures established across all provinces and districts.
“During the 2023 Harmonised General Elections, your organisation demonstrated its growing influence, mobilising and galvanising our party members and voters.
“Equally, an increased number of your membership was elected under the banner of our revolutionary mass party, Zanu-PF, as councillors in various local authorities across the country.
“I have noticed an increased number of young women graduates coming out of institutions of higher learning with specialised skills,” said the President.
He then challenged the YW4ED to mobilise and recruit more young women into the rank and file of Zanu-PF.
“Rambai muri muvanhu, muchidzidzisa gwara nezvinangwa zvemusangano wedu urikutonga we Zanu-PF (remain among the people, teaching the ideology and objectives of our ruling party Zanu-PF).
“Furthermore, some of your members were also elected into the National Assembly and rose to assume important responsibilities in Government.
“This is a clear testament to the fact that your organisation is not only empowering young women economically but also producing leaders who impact various sections of society.
“I challenge you to remain loyal and patriotic, wholeheartedly serving our country and the people of our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.
The President also said there was a need to harness the strong presence of women in SMEs and facilitate their transition into other competitive areas, including manufacturing.
“This will allow women-led entities to occupy both regional and international markets.
“To realise this critical outcome, the Zanu-PF-led Government will continue to address barriers such as limited access to finance, technology and conducive working spaces,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said agriculture remained a key pillar for the growth, modernisation and industrialisation of the economy.
As such, he called upon women to continue increasing productivity, agro-processing, value addition and marketing of all produce.
The President went on to rally women to speak out and act decisively against social ills, including violence against women and child marriages, among others.
“Equally, play your part towards combating the scourge of drug and substance abuse, which threatens the well-being and productivity of our youth.
“I urge you in your respective communities, wards and districts, to provide responsive psycho-social and trauma support, peer and mental health education as well as mentorship,” he said.
President Mnangagwa recalled that in 2022 he officiated at the organisation’s inaugural convention.
Since then, the women-led revolutionary movement, which is also one of the vanguards of Zanu-PF, has remarkably grown in scale, impact and substance.
“Muri musvo wemusangano wedu weZanu-PF. I congratulate you on your 5th anniversary. Makorokoto, amhlophe,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said it was his expectation that women set out ambitious, actionable, and achievable goals to enhance their contribution to the country’s broader development, modernisation, and industrialisation agenda.
“May I reiterate that a prosperous nation must be built on a foundation of innovation, deeply rooted in strong values, such as unity, discipline, patriotism, loyalty and respect.
“Therefore, wholehearted service to the people of our great country, and ensuring that we all have a better quality of life should remain at the centre of all our activities.
“Our Zanu-PF party is from the people and for the people; this DNA should permeate across all members and affiliates of our colossal revolutionary movement,” he said.
The convention was also attended by Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi, Speaker of Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Senate President and Zanu-PF Women’s League boss Cde Mabel Chinomona, YW4ED national chairperson Cde Tatenda Mavetera, Cabinet ministers and other senior Government officials.
