‘We want women involvement in the economy’

FIRST Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa recently launched the Young Women for Economic Development, a women-led initiative which seeks to facilitate the empowerment and involvement of women in all sectors of the economy. Zanu-PF Mashonaland East legislator (Proportional Representation) Tatenda Mavetera (TM) chairs the apolitical grouping. Our Reporter, TANYARADZWA RUSIKE (TR), spoke to Ms Mavetera on the group’s plans and vision.

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TR: Can you outline the thinking behind the Young Women for Economic Development initiative?

TM: This is a group of women that came together to pursue the agenda of women inclusivity in the economy.

We believe that development in Zimbabwe is only possible and achievable through full inclusion and empowerment of women.

The Young Women for Economic Development is a group of women, whose thrust is to come up with initiatives and programmes that bring young women together for the development of the country.

We are looking at empowerment in areas that feed into the country’s developmental agenda in line with the National Development Strategy 1.

We intend to champion the realisation of human rights and the sustainable development goals.

We seek to provide support to all the key stakeholders, including Government, the private sector, financial institutions and NGOs so that we get young women involved in the economy.

The Second Republic advocates for an all-inclusive economic landscape, which allows for everyone’s participation and that is what we want to support.

We intend to make sure that every young person from diverse backgrounds is included and can participate fully in the economic development agenda of this country.

TR: What’s your assessment of the work that is set out for the newly launched initiative?

TM: We are happy with the way women are getting involved in developmental programmes.

Right now we are very happy and overwhelmed with the response.

The response from young women is beyond what we anticipated.

When we talk of economic development, what really unites us as women is that we are all women.

We are happy that the New Dispensation has programmes it has put in place that involve everyone.

The thrust we have is that of inclusivity, empowerment and also influence.

We believe if women are included regardless of one’s political affiliation, they will be empowered.

TR: How does the Young Women for Economic Development initiative differ from previous women empowerment programmes?

TM: It differs in the sense that this initiative is about us getting closer together as young women as an inclusive unit.

It is also looks at how we can assist the Government in solving problems affecting women. It is different in that it is there to marshal and propagate empowerment for all women regardless of their political affiliation.

It is also looking to link directly with Government programmes for the benefit of women.

This is not to say there was a disconnect, but that now we have agreed as young women to speak directly with one voice.

When women went to Beijing (in pursuit of the Beijing Declaration), they had a single-minded cause, which is what we intend to do.

TR: Critics say the initiative is meant to win votes for Zanu PF during the 2023 elections, how do you respond to that?

TM: As people we need to look at the vision first before we think of politics.

This is what His Excellency, President Mnangagwa always says; development first before politics.

What it means is that development is more important.

We need to de-politicise our discourse and speak holistically to ideas and not about individuals.

As young people, we tend to politicise everything, which is a great challenge.

I am a Zanu PF person but I deal with many people from all walks of life, some of whom are not even involved in politics.

We need to get to a stage where, as young people and people of Zimbabwe, we do not politicise everything.

This is a developmental initiative which encompasses every young person regardless of political affiliation.

TR: How do you plan to work with Government to ensure that your grouping benefits all?

TM: We are going to work with the Ministries of Youth and Women Affairs.

We need to work primarily with these two because at the end of the day, they are custodians of programmes that we can also benefit from.

We need to also look at National Development Strategy 1 which has its basis on mining, agriculture, SMEs and also tourism.

We need young women to be able to benefit from those programmes as well.