Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE and Palestine have reaffirmed their long-standing bilateral relations, pledging to deepen cooperation on women’s empowerment while expressing solidarity with Palestinian women and children affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Speaking at a courtesy call by the Ambassador of the State of Palestine, Dr Tamer Almassri, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe remained committed to its historic ties with Palestine.
The age-old relations were founded on mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation.
“As women, as businesses and as communities of Zimbabwe, we appreciate the long-standing cordial relationship between Zimbabwe and the State of Palestine,” she said.
Sen Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwean women stood in solidarity with Palestinian women and children and described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “deeply painful”.
“We are in total solidarity with the people of Palestine. As women of Zimbabwe, we share the pain of those children whose lives have been cut short, those who cannot go to school and the many widows and mothers who have been affected by the conflict,” she said.
Sen Mutsvangwa said the destruction of hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure has worsened the suffering of civilians, particularly women and children.
She said Zimbabwe remains a peaceful nation guided by its foreign policy of being “a friend to all and an enemy to none”, adding that it understands the effects of international isolation after enduring illegal sanctions for more than two decades.
Sen Mutsvangwa said Government was committed to women’s empowerment and the Ministry was working from national to grassroots levels to ensure no one and no place is left behind in pursuit of Vision 2030 of an empowered upper-middle-income society.
“Our President has demonstrated that he is a thought leader on issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“We are working hard to ensure women, children and persons with disabilities are lifted out of poverty as Zimbabwe pursues an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” she said.
Ambassador Almassri congratulated Zimbabwe on securing a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027 to 2028 period.
He added that the country will represent not only Zimbabweans but the broader African continent and other nations seeking peace, stability, security and justice, including the Palestinian people.
The ambassador also conveyed a message of solidarity from the Palestinian Minister of Women’s Affairs.
Palestine is ready to sign a memorandum of understanding with Ministry of Women Affairs to strengthen cooperation in women’s empowerment.
“We highly appreciate the progress Zimbabwe has made in women’s empowerment, especially during the Second Republic.
“Palestine is ready to sign an MoU between our respective ministries so that we can exchange experiences and strengthen cooperation,” he said.
Ambassador Almassri outlined the humanitarian situation in Gaza and said thousands of women and children have been killed or injured, while millions have been displaced.
He said the destruction of health facilities and educational institutions has left many women and children without essential services.
Despite the challenges, Ambassador Almassri said, the Palestinian people remained resilient and appreciated Zimbabwe’s unwavering support.
“We are strong because of your solidarity. The voices of the Zimbabwean people and the voices of Zimbabwean women have been heard in Palestine during this difficult period.
“Zimbabwe is one of the pillars of international solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
Ambassador Almassri also invited Zimbabwean women leaders to visit Palestine to strengthen cooperation and exchange experiences in women’s empowerment, community development and leadership.
