Women want to influence policy

and Economic Empowerment and Peace Building last week have called for an increase in the participation of women in economic policy formulation.
Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Dr Olivia Muchena said economic empowerment was very topical in the country at the moment in view of the Indigenisation and Empowerment Policy and women should not be left behind.
“The sharing of experiences on what has worked and what has not worked in our countries will provide useful input in developing a broad-based framework for women’s economic empowerment and integration into the mainstream economic sectors for any given African country,” she said.
Those who attended the conference indicated that there is need for increased participation of women in economic policy formulation, business forums and institutions.
The delegates also called for an increase in business linkages between SMEs and large enterprises.
Women representative bodies, namely Women in Business, the Ministry of Women Affairs and other women’s organisations have also been urged to disseminate business and trade information to women and to create databases of organisations providing business information, financial and technical support services.
On climate change and its impact on business the delegates were of the view that there is need to develop programmes to educate women on climate change as well as the creation of platforms for women to engage with Government and other institutions working to manage climate change.
The conference saw women from different countries participating with some showcasing their products and trade services, which was an inspiration to Zimbabwean women.