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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
INFORMATION, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa has urged young women under the Young Women for Economic Development (YW4ED)’s Mutare Chapter to empower themselves by venturing into mining.
Speaking at the launch and outreach programme of the YW4ED Manicaland Chapter in Mutare held last week on Friday, Minister Mutsvangwa said forming formal mining consortiums would help lure the right investors and give the women a befitting kick-start in the mining industry.
She said young women should know that it was everyone’s duty to help the country attain Vision 2030 of an upper middle-income economy, and that they should not be left behind.
Minister Mutsvangwa further urged young women to come out of their comfort zones and embrace empowerment as they have the power to revive the economy.
“I urge you to leave your comfort zones as young women. Be business minded and penetrate industries that were formerly male dominated.
“There is no success in being in your comfort zone, team up with other young women, attract the rightful investors, and experts in mining, and help build back our economy,” she said.
“As young women, you should heed the President’s call, and look for investors to invest in your business. The country’s economy needs the mining sector for us to achieve Vision 2030, and it is not prescribed that only men should be in mining. Take up those spaces and push the country’s vision forward as a young woman,” she added.
She further challenged the women to empower their peers by creating jobs.
She also urged YW4ED members to take up decision making positions.
“You should demand what is rightfully yours, and take up decision making positions as young women. Start businesses, get into farming and mining. Do not wait for someone to come and rope you in because no-one will do that. Partner a fellow young woman and infiltrate those industries,” she said.
The main thrust of the outreach programme was to educate young women of the YW4ED programmes and objectives.
It targets women between the ages of 18 and 45.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial and Devolution Affairs, Minister Nokuthula Matsikenyiri encouraged women to participate in the drive towards inclusivity and mainstream economic activities across all sectors of the economy.
She said Government had a thrust on economic development, and young women should strive to compliment it by taking up positions that drive the economy.
She further stated that young women should emulate Government’s efforts of reviving the economy.
Also addressing the same gathering, Mashonaland East Proportional Representation Member of Parliament, Cde Tatenda Mavetera said young women should contribute to the economic dispensation of the country, while at the same time embracing inclusivity and unity.
She challenged them to empower each other by teaming up and working together rather than working alone.
“As YW4ED, we believe in teamwork, and therefore encourage our young women to team up with other young women as they contribute to the economic development.
“As young women, we should not pull each other down, but empower the next women as we strive to bring change within the economy,” she said.
Cde Mavetera said the initiative was open to all young women regardless of their social standing or political affiliation.
Online Reporter