Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
A visiting delegation from the United Nations Women Executive Board yesterday met with stakeholders in Bulawayo and toured small to medium enterprises (SMEs) housed at the Makers’ Space Project facility.
The delegation is in Zimbabwe for a week-long visit to assess UN Women-led projects and broader UN system support aligned with the country’s national development priorities. The team has visited several locations and will compile a comprehensive report following the tour.
Chairperson of the UN Women Executive Board for 2025, Ms Nicola Clase — who is also Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations — expressed admiration for the beauty of Zimbabwe and the strength and innovation of its women.
The delegation began the day with a courtesy call on Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart and senior council officials at the City Council Chambers, before touring various businesses operating under the Makers’ Space Project.
“We’ve taken note of many important aspects where we believe we can offer future support. Zimbabwe is a very beautiful country, but more than that, its women are exceptionally strong. There is a great deal of impactful work underway, and much more to be done. We are particularly focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
After just a few days here, I can already say it’s been fantastic to visit the City of Kings and Queens, Bulawayo,” said Ms Clase.
Ms Clase noted that during their stay they had held productive meetings with the President, ministers, and members of Parliament, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and civil society stakeholders.
“It has been a very impressive programme. The work that UN Women is doing here in collaboration with partners is commendable. When we return, we will present our reflections at the Board meeting in June,” she said.
Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs leader, Mr Coustin Ngwenya, said the Makers’ Space Project has been transformational for local entrepreneurs, particularly women in the textile industry.
“Since September 2024, the Makers’ Space Project has supported 234 women, who have collectively produced over 11,263 items. Key highlights include improved production capacity and quality among women-led textile businesses.
We’re grateful for the continued support from UN Women, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, and the Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs,” he said.
He said local SMEs looked forward to expanding their collaboration with UN Women to create more opportunities for entrepreneurs. However, the SMEs appealed for additional workspace, including strategically located incubation centres and purpose-built industrial parks to further support business development.
Councillor Coltart said the Makers’ Space Project enhances the competitiveness of women-led enterprises and forms a key component of the city’s MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) acceleration strategy.
“This project is a flagship initiative, under which — through UN Women and its partners — we have secured 23 state-of-the-art industrial machines to revolutionise productivity in the textile sector. This milestone aligns with our ongoing collaborations with UN agencies as we design innovative solutions to scale up MSMEs,” he said.
He emphasised the need to sustain collaborative momentum.
“While the city’s achievements are commendable, the scale of opportunity before us requires amplified support. By harmonising good public governance, private sector agility, and international partnerships, we are not just building markets—we are engineering equitable prosperity.”– @NyembeziMu
