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Sithandazile Moyo Chronicle Reporter
WOMEN should be actively involved in building the economy given the fact that they constitute a larger percentage of the population, a cabinet minister has said.
Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister, Cde Oppah Muchinguri, said about 80 percent of women live in the rural areas which means that they are the farmers who can ensure food security and nutrition in their households.
“Women must stand up and do something with their lives.
“They have the ability to participate in achieving food security and nutrition, which is part of the objectives of Zim-Asset,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri said women should not wait for their male counterparts to be the ones who provide for them but should join different associations that would make them self-sufficient.
“It is important for them to join women’s clubs and be productive through engaging in different projects that can help to grow the economy,” she said.
Cde Muchinguri said the ministry had officials at ward levels that assist to empower women by providing information on business and other programmes.
“Women also have the ability to provide for their families because they have been empowered to participate in any sector of the economy, be it mining or agriculture,” she said.
She commended the government for the empowerment of women saying now they could even participate in politics.
“Before independence, only 25 percent of women could read and write but the government has worked tirelessly to empower women and now 95 percent can read and write,” said Cde Muchinguri.
Online Reporter