Women empowerment key in reducing poverty

Midlands Bureau Chief
WOMEN empowerment programmes are playing a pivotal role in reducing poverty levels in the country, the patron of the Musha Mukadzi Zimbabwe Armed Forces Foundation (MMZAFF), Mrs Mary Chiwenga, has said.
Addressing members of MMZAFF Air Defence Chapter in Redcliff on Wednesday, Mrs Chiwenga, who is the wife of the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Constantine Chiwenga, said empowering women and helping them realise their potential was key in eradicating poverty levels in society.

“I certainly believe that women empowerment plays a pivotal role in eradicating poverty associated with the demise of our husbands who are traditionally regarded as bread winners,” she said.

“I want to applaud you for running a successful beef-committee project which is a clear indication that, given a chance, women have a role to play in the National Indigenisation and Empowerment programmes. So women, let us take these programmes seriously as they are an answer to the clarion call by His Excellency, President Mugabe, to move away from the donor dependency syndrome. Let me also emphasise that in order for the projects to prosper, financial discipline is a requisite. Stay away from corrupt activities.”

Female soldiers, wives and widows of either serving soldiers or war veterans in Kwekwe and Redcliff embarked on a number of income generating projects, courtesy of seed money availed to them by the Musha Mukadzi Zimbabwe Armed Forces Foundation.
Musha Mukadzi Zimbabwe Armed Forces Foundation is a brainchild of Mrs Chiwenga.

The members are residents of Kwekwe’s Amaveni and Mbizo suburbs as well as Redcliff suburb, Torwood, Rutendo in Redcliff. Mrs Chiwenga donated a tonne of seed maize to the Musha Mukadzi Zimbabwe Armed Forces Foundation Air Defence Chapter.