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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
GOVERNMENT has paid tribute to the country’s liberators saying their sacrifices were not in vain as they empowered the youths of today to be involved in economic productivity.
Defence and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said this yesterday during the Concord Young Women in Business Global graduation ceremony in Bulawayo.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the colonial era did not accord young women economic opportunities. She said through the sacrifices made by the country’s liberators, women were now active players in developing the country.
“We are enjoying this peace today because of your supreme sacrifice, Your Excellency, the supreme sacrifice of other gallant sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives in the struggle to create the opportunities that we are enjoying today,” she said.
“You paid supreme sacrifice lest we forget, lest young people forget that we have young people lying in the graves in Chimoio, in Zambia and for us to be able to even imagine our young women organising themselves, it was not possible.”
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri recounted the terrible conditions she was subjected to when she joined the armed struggle at the age of 16.
She commended young women for taking up the challenge to develop the country as enunciated by President Mnangagwa.
“Your mantra Zimbabwe is open for business has encouraged young women to take charge of their future as we are witnessing the graduation of 7 800 young women in ICT. They have taken up that challenge that they should also not be left behind,” she said.
“You are leaving no one behind and we want to thank you for creating a peaceful and conducive environment for women to participate in the social economic development in all spheres of society.”
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the empowerment of young women is also in sync with Heritage-Based Education 5.0 being implemented by institutions of higher learning.
“This resonates very well with Heritage Based Education 5.0 where Your Excellency you are encouraging innovation, modernisation, industrialisation and training of young people to be entrepreneurs,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the involvement of young women in economic development will accelerate the attainment of an upper middle-income society by 2030.
Zanu-PF Vice President Cde Kembo Mohadi said the training of young women in digital skills speaks to the Second Republic’s commitment to gender inclusivity.
“This programme speaks to the Second Republic’s implementation of Section 17 of our Constitution in Zimbabwe which obliges us to ensure a full gender balance in the Zimbabwean society. Indeed, the Second Republic through your leadership Your Excellency, has put in place appropriate policies for gender balance to thrive as demonstrated by the active participation of women in various sectors of the country’s economy,” he said.
Cde Mohadi said it is important for young women to embrace technology while riding on existing gender equality policies.
He said the economic transformation of the country through the implementation of Education 5.0 can only be achieved through increased usage of ICT gadgets.
Concord Young Women in Business Global president Ms Alphius Nyasha Manyengavana commended President Mnangagwa for supporting the empowerment of women.
She said the successful implementation of phase one of the project has created a lot of interest forcing them to roll out the second phase.
Ms Manyengavana implored young women to support the ruling party Zanu-PF in the coming elections because it has clear policies that advance women empowerment.
“As the driver of this bus that you have given to us, Your Excellency through empowerment of women, my conductors who are the provincial coordinators and the rest of the beneficiaries will support you. We are not against opposition parties but oppose those who are against the development of this country,” she said.
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