Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
THE United Nations has commended Zimbabwe for its ongoing efforts to empower women and girls, while developing peacefully, the global body’s Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women’s Deputy Executive Director Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda has said.
Speaking at a meeting with Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa in Harare yesterday, Dr Gumbonzvanda said it was heartening to note that the Second Republic was actively availing opportunities for women across the board.
“I always try every day (to ensure) that little girls, women in our communities have opportunities.
“When you talk about the mandate of your Honourable Ministry, empowerment is in the heart; knowledge, skills, capabilities, opportunities, knowing that you can be treated with the same respect and dignity irrespective of who you are,” she said.
Dr Gumbonzvanda said it was important to stress the issue of rights, to say everyone was born with inherent rights, dignity, opportunities and possibilities.
“I really have high respect for this ministry, because we are enabling possibilities of being,” she said.
Dr Gumbonzvanda is on a high-level mission in the country and is joined by the East and Southern Africa Deputy Regional Director Adama Moussa.
The visit comes at a pivotal moment for gender equality efforts, as global reforms and shifting donor priorities reshape the development landscape.
This strategic engagement aims to reaffirm UN Women’s commitment to Zimbabwe, strengthen partnerships and mobilise collective action to safeguard and advance progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The visit will also spotlight Zimbabwe’s policy advances and explore pathways for sustaining impactful programmes amid funding transitions.
Dr Gumbonzvanda said the UN was appreciative of the institutional mechanisms put in place by Government to advance empowerment, rights and equality.
“We see other countries around the world which are minimising the importance of investing in communities, in gender equality, in women’s empowerment.
“So, we continue to look after ourselves as part of the international community, as part of the multilateral system to advance these issues,” she said.
On her part, Sen Mutsvangwa said joint efforts by Zimbabwe and UN had yielded significant results.
These include the support of the country’s compliance with international frameworks, strengthening of gender statistics, enhancement of multi-sectoral coordination exemplified by the Spotlight Initiative, and advancing women’s economic empowerment through initiatives like the Epworth safe market and the Marker Space.
“Your visit also comes at a crucial time, especially as Zimbabwe has launched its National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), which elevates gender equality as a priority.
“This strategy reflects our Government’s commitment, supported by various stakeholders, including UN Women.
“Zimbabwe has also shown strong political will through recent policy reforms, including the National Gender Policy 2025, the Gender-Based Violence Strategy 2023 to 2030, and the High level Political Compact.
“These frameworks provide a solid foundation for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment,” she said.
Government, said the minister, was aware that meaningful progress in gender equality and women’s empowerment would significantly strengthen the national economy.
As such, the Second Republic will continue to engage all stakeholders encompassing development part
