Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira [email protected]
Government has prioritised women empowerment through funding for projects, expansion of maternal healthcare services and increased participation of women in decision-making positions, President Mnangagwa has said.
The Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa, has also enhanced women’s representation in governance through the creation of a women’s quota in Parliament and local authorities.
President Mnangagwa, who is also Zanu-PF First Secretary, said this yesterday while addressing the party’s Women’s League National Assembly meeting held at the party headquarters under the theme: “Investing in women, transforming the nation for generations.”
He said women’s economic empowerment remained central to Government policy, with initiatives designed to ensure that women across the country benefit from development programmes.
“The Zanu-PF Government is anchored on women’s economic empowerment. It is party and Government policy that empowerment must be inclusive and reach every woman,” he said.
“It must transcend geography, age and status. I therefore urge you, madzimai, to take advantage of empowerment opportunities to ensure the growth of household incomes, transformation of the lives of our grassroots membership and upliftment of the nation as a whole.
“The empowerment funds and programmes must reach every district. No woman or group of women with a viable project should be left behind because she lacks collateral. The Second Republic is prioritising women’s empowerment by providing funds to uplift women’s livelihoods through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Zimbabwe
Women’s Microfinance Bank and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Company (SMEDCO).”
President Mnangagwa said Government was also committed to ensuring that every citizen benefits from the country’s development agenda.
“From the city to the village, from the boardroom to the farm, and from the young to the elderly, every woman is being included in our development agenda.
“Hakuna mudzimai kana nzvimbo ichasiyiwa kumushure; sithi akekho umama, lendawo ezasala emuva,” he said.
Turning to agriculture, President Mnangagwa said Government was broadening support for women farmers through mechanisation and other empowerment programmes.
He said the Zanu-PF-led Government was moving beyond inputs support and now includes extensive mechanisation, through ongoing equipment support schemes.
“The League is called upon to mobilise women to access all our facilities being availed by my Administration,” he said.
“Every province must work closely with the responsible Ministries, Departments, Agencies that relate to agriculture, mechanisation and water, towards capacitating and training women on key aspects of ‘farming as a business’, agro-processing, finance and climate-smart agriculture.”
He urged farmers to plant early and grow drought-resistant crops as the country prepares for possible El Niño-induced drought conditions.
“I, therefore, urge us to plant early maturing and drought-resistant crops to bolster household food security. Government will do its part to mitigate the impact of the expected drought.
“We are a united, peaceful and resilient people,” he said.
On infrastructure development, President Mnangagwa said ongoing projects such as roads, dams, clinics, schools and markets were improving the quality of life for communities, particularly women.
“My Government is scaling up the roll-out of quality, affordable and appropriate healthcare services.
“The rehabilitation of hospitals, procurement of equipment, and recruitment of additional health personnel is designed to bolster current services, while moving forward our facilities and systems in line with best practice.
“I am aware that much work must be done and hence, appeal to women and the citizenry as a whole, to be patient, as we build up this critical pillar of our nation’s well-being,” he said.
The President added that Government continues to invest in maternal healthcare through the expansion of maternity wards, procurement of ambulances and training of midwives.
He explained that no woman should die while giving life.
“The Women’s League must encourage women to book early for antenatal care and to deliver in health facilities,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also encouraged citizens to undergo early screening for cancer-related illnesses, saying early detection was critical in saving lives.
“Government is gravely concerned with the number of deaths as a result of cancer, inclusive of mothers and daughters.
“As such, the requisite investments and resources have been deployed for cancer screening equipment and treatment centres. It is the duty of the Women’s League to lead awareness campaigns on early screening for various kinds of cancer. Early detection saves lives.
“I applaud the First Lady, Amai Mnangagwa, who continues, under the Angel of Hope Foundation, on a nationwide health campaign that is educating women, promoting free screening and helping to save lives.”
The President also expressed concern over the rise of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
He said the Zanu-PF-led Government is strengthening screening across all health centres and ensuring increased availability as well as affordability of medicines for such ailments.
“Matters of mental health must never be overlooked, especially among children, adolescents and young adults. Appropriate structures and safe spaces should be initiated by the Women’s League to mitigate the impact of social vices, such as drug and substance abuse.
“On its part, my Administration is integrating mental health services into primary healthcare,” said President Mnangagwa.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Women’s League Secretary Cde Mabel Chinomona spoke about delays in the disbursement of empowerment funds promised to the League last year.
She said women had already opened bank accounts in anticipation of receiving the funds.
“Your Excellency, the Women’s League has not yet received the empowerment funds. The women across provinces have already opened their empowerment accounts,” she said.
Cde Chinomona commended President Mnangagwa for pledging 150 tractors, which she said would be acquired through financial facilities with the Women’s Bank.
“The tractors will be accessed through the provincial structures. We should first pay a deposit before we receive the tractors,” she said.
The event was attended by Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Dr Kembo Mohadi, Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Women’s League deputy secretary Cde Judith Ncube and secretary for administration Cde Monica Mutsvangwa.
