Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Deputy Minister Kiven Mutimbanyoka has commended ongoing efforts to advance the protection and empowerment of women and girls.
His remarks come in the wake of calls by Minister Mutsvangwa for Zimbabwe to ratify the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, a move seen as a critical step towards strengthening the legal and institutional framework to combat gender-based violence.
Minister Mutsvangwa heads the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, which is mandated to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“Honourable Minister Mutsvangwa has demonstrated visionary and decisive leadership in championing the rights of women and girls,” said Deputy Miniter Mutimbanyoka.
“This push towards ratification of the African Union Convention is not just a policy process, but a bold declaration that Zimbabwe will not tolerate violence and inequality against women.”
The Second Republic, he said, remains firmly committed to safeguarding the dignity and rights of all citizens.
“We are witnessing a defining moment where Zimbabwe is aligning itself with progressive continental frameworks that seek to protect women and girls,” he said.
“As Government, we are saying empowerment must become the norm, not the exception. No woman or girl should live in fear or be denied opportunity because of her gender.”
He urged all stakeholders, including communities, civil society and the private sector, to support Government initiatives aimed at ending gender-based violence.
“This is a national cause that requires collective responsibility. We must all play our part in building safe communities where women and girls can thrive and realise their full potential,” he said.
In recent years, Zimbabwe has intensified efforts to address gender inequalities through policy reforms and programmes targeting women’s economic empowerment.
Online Reporter