ZOC celebrates international women’s day

As the rest of the world celebrates International Women’s Day today to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women under various themes, ZOC yesterday said that they observe and recognise the significance of this day which will be celebrated under the theme “Connecting Girls: Inspiring Futures”.
“ZOC (today) joins the world in the global celebration of the International Women’s Day in support of women empowerment and inspiration through the medium of sport.
“Within its own ranks, ZOC recognises, highlights and promotes the participation of women in leadership positions in sport as evidenced in the strides made to include female administrators in key decision and operational functions of the organisation,” ZOC chief executive, Anna Mguni, said in a statement yesterday.
In fact, a number of mainstream positions have been taken up by women in the ZOC structures and they include Busi Chindove (board co-vice-president), Kathy Lobb (board member), Mguni (chief executive), Patience Chideu Dhliwayo (executive assistant), Primrose Mhunduru (development officer), Nomsa Mpofu (operations officer), Memory Pakati (finance officer), Spiwe Nyamande (administrative officer), Chiedza Mafunga (sport centre director at Prince Edward School) and Euginia Chidhakwa (director of Zimbabwe Olympic Academy).
There are also a number of women serving on ZOC commissions and many more working as volunteers in various programmes and activities.
ZOC also highlights activities done in the spirit of empowering women through capacity development of female sport administrators in the country.
ZOC’s  International Women’s Day celebration, Mguni said, will be co-ordinated by the women and sport commission with an emphasis on sport activities for women and the girl child.
“Women should be provided with equal opportunities to develop as decision makers and leaders, not just on economic, social and political platforms, but increasingly so in sport.
“This entails greater empowerment and access to education, with specific finances dedicated to the development of leadership skills of women in sports management and leadership.
“Greater collaboration and co-operation from all stakeholders will go a long way to ensure the realisation of objectives supporting gender equality and promoting the empowerment of women and girls,” Mguni said.