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Mabel Chinomona–Special Correspondent
The special month of March has heralded heightened recognition of the women’s strength, resilience and inspiration in and outside Zimbabwe, across the social, economic and political spectrum.
The Women’s Month has accorded a unique but strategic opportunity to celebrate the critical roles played by women.
To this end, the ZANU PF Women’s Wing joyously and wholeheartedly seizes the opportunity to join the world in celebrating the greatness of each and every woman.
The ZANU PF Government, the ZANU PF party, private companies and organisations, faith-based organisations and individuals, are lauded for the enumerable milestones recorded in advancing and implementing women-centric initiatives, policies, programmes and projects.
In particular, the ZANU PF Women’s League applauds the President Mnangagwa for his passionate and deliberate efforts towards advancing and supporting women and girls in the socio-economic development of the country, as well as opening political opportunities like entrusting them in leadership positions and decision-making positions.
Special recognition goes to the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who has been an extraordinary and exemplary torch-bearer in uplifting the lives of many.
Pushed by the need to see the improvements in the livelihoods of the important constituency of women, the ZANU PF Women’s League continues to roll-out empowerment initiatives for women and girls and intends to intensify these and other efforts by improving access to information and opportunities for women.
No place and no one should be left behind in this journey.
Particular interest will be placed on rural, vulnerable and special interest groups including the physically challenged, widows, previously marginalised, church, young women and girls.
Empowerment initiatives include entrepreneurial skills training on detergents, perfumes and various household products production, tailoring, baking, hair and beauty, interior and events décor, development of business proposals, establishing a business, taxing and related requirements, products packaging and marketing, and poultry. Products there-from have been marketed and exhibited at fairs and shows nationally and beyond the borders.
They also cover topical women’s health issues like breast and cervical cancers, reproductive health and well-being among others; and, funding options.
They further underline the importance of women to register their businesses so that they can contribute to the mainstream economy and be assisted in the gravitation towards growth and/or expansion, by relevant stakeholders.
Lack of access to affordable loans and relaxed collateral requirements, are areas that stifle business take-off for most women. Due to the constrained fiscal environment, the ZANU PF Women’s League encouraged women to embrace Mikando, Lending and Savings Clubs where the women pool resources and support each other’s endeavours.
Some have gone further to procure groceries and household equipment like pots and these clubs have fared well in this regard. Women should continue to tap and draw lessons from the initiative in order to secure resources for their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Mabel Chinomona is the Zanu PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs
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