‘No to piece-meal interventions for women’

Daisy Jeremani Gender Editor
GOVERNMENT has been called upon to put systems in place that improve women’s lives and move away from piece-meal interventions that do not improve them.

In a speech read on her behalf by a senior official in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Tsvagai Marovatsanga at the commemorations to mark International Women’s Day in Gwabalanda yesterday, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo said there was need to empower women through wealth creation and other holistic interventions.

International Women’s Day is commemorated annually on March 8 and governments and activists take time to reflect on achievements, recognise challenges and focus attention on women’s rights and gender equality.

Held this year under the theme: “Beijing +20: The Journey Towards Women Empowerment in Zimbabwe,” the theme is in line with United Nations theme, which highlights the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, an unprecedented road map signed by 189 governments 20 years ago to help set the agenda for the realisation of women’s rights.

“If we’re to make any meaningful contributions towards women’s lives, as articulated by the Beijing Declaration we should move away from making piece-meal interventions that slightly improve women’s livelihoods…” the minister said.

She said there was need to seek and employ approaches that truly empower women through wealth creation, asset building and business leadership.

“It’s therefore important that more resources be channeled towards women empowerment initiatives,” Cde Moyo said.

She underscored the need for guaranteed easier access to credit through the creation of special loan funds for women.

The government was commended for coming up with the women’s fund, which provides women across the country with loans without collateral.

The banking sector was also urged to complement government efforts by coming up with schemes that respond positively to women’s needs. “I’m informed the government is in the process of setting up a women’s bank. I’m therefore challenging you (banks) to reposition yourselves and serve as catalysts for the change in the lives of Zimbabwean women,” she said.

The minister also paid tribute to the women of Zimbabwe for diligently ensuring that issues as enunciated in the 12 critical areas of the Beijing Declaration remain at the centre of the country’s political, social and economic development agenda. Among them are getting an education, having an income and living in a violence-free society.

“I also like to acknowledge efforts by the government towards promoting gender equality and women empowerment since independence,” Cde Moyo said.

The government has adopted many legislative, policy and administrative measures, which address the 12 critical areas as outlined in the Beijing Declaration. These have been reinforced by the new constitution, which contains strong provisions for the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment.

Speaking at the same event, Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development acting provincial development officer for Bulawayo, Ntando Mhlanga bemoaned the shocking statistics of crime and violence against women and girls in the country.

“Let’s engage and involve men and boys so that they acknowledge, accept and appreciate the need to end violence against women and girls,” he said.

“We aren’t fighting to take away anything from them, we’re just leveling the playing field.”

The celebration of International Women’s Day, set aside by the UN is to recognise the fact that securing peace and social progress and full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation and development of women.