‘Rural women at the heart of food systems’

Herald Reporters

RURAL women should be saluted for their role in society, including ensuring national food self-sufficiency, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said yesterday.

Speaking at the national launch of the 2025 International Day of Rural Women commemorations in Harare, Sen Mutsvangwa called for greater recognition of rural women’s critical role in shaping resilient futures.

“Rural women are at the heart of Zimbabwe’s food systems, natural resource management, and local economies,” she stated.

The launch was held under the theme, “Rural women rising: Shaping resilient futures with Beijing+30”.

Sen Mutsvangwa said as the nation celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, this year’s theme urges everyone to recognise the central role of women living in rural areas in advancing sustainable livelihoods, building climate-resilient communities, and driving national development.

“In Zimbabwe, the International Day of Rural Women holds particular significance because the majority of women live and work in rural communities.

“According to ZIMSTAT (2019), approximately 80 percent of women live in communal areas, where they constitute 61 percent  of the farming population and contribute 70 percent of agricultural labour.

“Women living in rural areas are at the heart of Zimbabwe’s food systems, natural resource management, and local economies. They play vital roles as farmers, traders, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders,” she said.

However, Sen Mutsvangwa said women still face many barriers such as limited access to land ownership and inheritance rights, limited access to capital, credit and insurance, inadequate infrastructure and technology, and the disproportionate impacts of climate change and economic shocks.

Through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, a number of strategic programmes and initiatives are being implemented to transform the livelihoods of women across the country.

Key among these are the Women’s Development Fund (WDF) that provide affordable credit to women entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, to help them acquire equipment, expand production, create employment, improve livelihoods and resilience and reduce GBV, and the Zimbabwe Community Development Fund (ZCDF), which supports community-based projects that enhance food security, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

Other interventions include the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) that offers affordable financial products tailored to women’s needs, promoting financial inclusion and literacy, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO) which facilitates enterprise growth through funding, training, and market linkages, and partnerships with development partners and community-based organisations promote skills development and capacity-building in sectors such as food processing, detergents production, poultry, horticulture, and textiles, amongst others.

Sen Mutsvangwa added that they provide capacity building to women living in rural areas on business as well as technical skills.

“Next year my ministry will roll out a programme to improve women’s digital skills both in urban and rural areas, in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier services and that of Skills Audit and Development,” she said.

Access to markets remains a challenge for women and the Ministry of Women Affairs provides market access opportunities to women through exhibitions, shows and fairs.

Sen Mutsvangwa said she encourages women to be productive and add value to the resources available in rural areas.

“The Government is also building pathways for women’s participation in economic value chains and ensure that empowerment is both sustainable and inclusive,” he said.

As part of this year’s national launch, the ministry will today officially unveil the Mudzimayi Wanhasi Empowerment Hub, an ICT hub for women and girls in Seke.

Sen Mutsvangwa said this was a milestone collaboration between her ministry and the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe.

Located at Murape Primary School in Mashonaland East Province, the hub will serve as a dynamic platform for digital empowerment, skills development, and enterprise growth for rural women.

Through this initiative, women will gain digital literacy, access online marketing and e-commerce tools, and enhance their participation in the digital economy.

Sen Mutsvangwa said this project aligns with the Government’s digital transformation agenda, as articulated in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030, both of which prioritise inclusive economic participation and technology-enabled growth for all citizens, especially women in rural communities.

The event will feature exhibitions, entertainment, financial inclusion and health services, and knowledge-sharing sessions, showcasing rural women’s products, innovation and creativity.

Outstanding women from across the province will be honoured for their achievements in leadership, entrepreneurship and community development.

The International Day of Rural Women is observed globally every year on October 15.

The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 and first celebrated in 2008. It recognises the critical role and contribution of women living in rural areas in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security, and eradicating rural poverty.