‘When women see other women in positions of power’

Talking points by the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Senator Monica Mutsvangwa on 18 March, 2026 at the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, USA

THEME: Representation Matters: When women see other women in positions of power, it shifts what they believe is possible for themselves. How has your visibility as Minister of Women Affairs influenced the next generation of women leaders in Zimbabwe and across Africa?

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on what has shaped my own journey and continues to shape the aspirations of millions of girls across Africa: Indeed representation matters. When women see other women in positions of power, it does more than inspire them — it expands their sense of what is possible and widens their scope of possibilities.

When I assumed office as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, I became one of only six women in our Cabinet.

I stepped into this role with a deep awareness that my presence at the decision making table was not symbolic. It was a signal to every young woman in Zimbabwe — from the most remote village to the busiest city — that leadership is not reserved for a select few. It is a space where they, too, belong.

My visibility as a minister has allowed young women to see leadership through a lens that reflects their own realities. They see a woman who is a mother, a businesswoman, a farmer, a veteran of the liberation struggle, and a public servant.

They see a leader who engages communities daily, who listens, who corrects issues before they escalate, and who remains accessible and grounded. This visibility has helped shift the narrative from “Can women lead?” to “Women are leading — and leading very well.”

Across Zimbabwe, I meet girls who tell me, “I want to be a minister one day,” or “I want to run my own business.” These are not idle dreams. They are reflections of what happens when women occupy public space with confidence and integrity. My responsibility, therefore, is not only to lead — it is to lead in a way that opens doors for others.

One of the most powerful ways representation influences the next generation is through ethical leadership. I have always believed that women in public office must carry themselves with integrity.

I have worked hard to maintain an untainted image, to shun corruption, and to demonstrate that leadership rooted in service is possible. When young women see this, they learn that power can be exercised with honesty, humility, and accountability.

My visibility has also allowed me to speak boldly against Gender Based Violence — particularly the violence and harassment women face when they enter politics. I know these challenges personally.

Yet I remain resolute, because every woman who steps back due to intimidation is a loss to our collective progress. By standing firm, I hope to show young women that their voices are worth defending and their leadership is worth fighting for.

Another dimension of representation is creating platforms for others. I have led intergenerational dialogues that bring together elders and youth to co-create solutions. I have strengthened partnerships with civil society organisations, ensuring that women’s voices are heard not only in Government offices but in communities, markets and boardrooms.

I am passionate about male engagement, because gender equality cannot be achieved by women alone. When men champion women’s leadership, the entire society shifts.

Beyond Zimbabwe, my work with fellow African ministers of gender has allowed me to contribute to a continental movement for women’s empowerment. I am often invited to speak across Africa on gender equality and SME development.

These engagements show young African women that leadership is not confined by borders — it is a shared continental responsibility.

As a businesswoman and farmer, I mentor young and upcoming businesswomen, helping them navigate markets, build confidence, and grow enterprises.

I want them to know that leadership is not only political — it is economic, social and generational. When they see a minister, who is also an entrepreneur, they understand that they, too, can lead in multiple spaces.

So, how has my visibility influenced the next generation of women leaders?

It has:
n Expanded their imagination of what leadership can look like.
n Demonstrated that women can lead with strength, compassion, and integrity.

n Encouraged young women to enter politics, business and public service.

n Shown that leadership is not a privilege — it is a responsibility.

n Proven that when women rise, they lift entire communities with them.

Representation matters because it changes what is imaginable. It matters because it breaks ceilings and builds bridges. It matters because when one woman steps into leadership, she becomes a mirror in which thousands of others can see their own potential.

My commitment — as a minister, as a veteran of the liberation struggle of my country and as an African woman — is to ensure that the next generation of women leaders does not have to fight the same battles we fought. They must rise higher, lead boldly and transform our nations our continent and the global society at large.

Thank you.