NEW: Govt supports women participation in AfCFTA 

GOVERNMENT has affirmed its commitment to support the participation of women traders in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said with such support, women exporters are expected to have expanded market opportunities, thereby spurring economic growth.

She was speaking at the launch of a booklet titled “Understanding the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and how it relates to Zimbabwean Women in Trade.”

The booklet, spearheaded by UN Women and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, among other partners, is meant to raise awareness, especially of women traders, while also facilitating information on opportunities and benefits provided by the AfCFTA.

The booklet comes in three languages: English, Shona and Ndebele.

“Women are an integral part of our economy, yet they are severely under-represented in any decision-making process, and in processes where they can claim their rights. If you cannot claim your rights, you don’t know your rights.

“The booklet is an empowerment strategy and integral to informing women in trade about their rights. My ministry is ready to play its role in the dissemination of the booklet and education of women traders,” she said.

The ministry and its partners, Dr Nyoni added, had identified high transaction costs and delays in the clearance of goods at border posts, including corruption, insecurity, gender-based violence, poor basic infrastructure and facilities, as some of the challenges affecting women traders.

Other challenges are weak trade associations, lack of access to productive resources such as land, finance and other assets, limited access to information and knowledge about trade and regional trade agreements, including limited access to credit and collateral.

Last year, the ministry participated in a survey on Women in Trade Protocol, deploying officials to facilitate consultations on women in trade in all provinces.

A number of recommendations were identified to address gaps and to inform policy discussions on gender and trade in the context of the AfCFTA.

Some of the recommendations included advocacy for the review of policy and gender mainstreaming at national level, seeking inclusive participation of key stakeholders such as women in the AfCFTA negotiation processes, and improving the availability of relevant gender disaggregated data.

It was further recommended to conduct advocacy and awareness raising on gender issues and the AfCFTA.