adminAlliance of Business Associations in Zimbabwe.
Wabaz, which was launched in Harare on Wednesday, has been established under the auspices of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking at the launch, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango encouraged women to go beyond advocating for gender equity and actually establish businesses.
“The move to establish Wabaz is commendable, but it is now critical that the organisation assists women to establish businesses. We cannot lobby the Government as women’s organisations, but as business entities. Investors put their monies in businesses not lobby organisations,” she said.
Wabaz is expected to act as a platform for women in business to engage both the Government and the private sector on challenges they face. These include macro-economic challenges such as the prevailing liquidity crunch and high utility charges among others, as well as challenges that are peculiar to women in business such as discrimination. Wabaz chairperson Ms Sithabile
Mangwengwende said one of the major goals of her organisation was to establish a fully-fledged women’s business chamber, along the lines of the ZNCC.
Regional Integration and International Co-operation Minister Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga said it was critical that Wabaz seek a regional audience.
“As the Minister of Regional Integration, I feel that it would be good for women’s viewpoints on economic issues to be discussed at a regional level,” she said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Professor Welshman Ncube, said women should take advantage of the new Industrial Development Policy. “Cabinet approved the new Industrial Development Policy on Tuesday, which will now run between 2012 and 2016. In terms of the new policy we have attempted to mainstream gender issues and we
anticipate that Wabaz will help us in the implementation of the IDP,” he said.
Professor Ncube urged women in business to utilise financing facilities such as the ZETRF, uptake of which he said had been “painfully slow,” and the Distressed and Marginalised Industries Fund (Dimaf).
Meanwhile, the launch of the organisation coincided with the launch of the survey and report on Zimbabwe’s business environment and potential for women’s empowerment done by Dr Charity Manyeruke on behalf of Wabaz. The survey assessed women in business in 10 cities, namely Harare, Kadoma, Marondera, Gweru, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Gwanda, Lupane, Bindura and Mutare.
Dr Manyeruke said the survey and report would help assist Government and the private sector in developing appropriate gender-sensitive policies, services and products to create an enabling environment for female entrepreneurs in the country
“Women should engage Government and financial institutions as associations, rather than as individuals. In this way they have a better chance to overcome obstacles such as bureaucracy.”
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Online Reporter