ED challenges women to take up leadership positions
mothers, sisters and daughters, you are the beacon of morality, integrity and virtuous living. Our continent depends on you to foster, teach and engender our value systems as epitomised by the spirit of Ubuntu,” he said.
President Mnangagwa commended Zimbabwean women for bringing the concept of AWLN home, saying this will assist in the development agenda.
He said the network will further offer opportunities for women leaders to create a national platform for coordinated efforts for the development of the country as well as embrace the leadership of African women in bringing transformative changes focusing on peace, security and development on the continent.
He implored the network to also empower rural women, mentor young women and seek to achieve gender equality as well as inclusion of women in all sectors so that no one is left behind as the country joins the rest of the continent in “the Africa we want”.
The theme for the launch was: “Peace and social cohesion for Zimbabwe’s sustainable development,” which President Mnangagwa said is a prerequisite for fulfilment of the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development.
“This chapter must equally be used in the realisation of Section 80 of our national Constitution which emphasises the women’s right to equal opportunities. Women engagement and leadership are indispensable ingredients to peace, stability and sustainable development.
“Empirical evidence indicates that the participation of women in peace building process focuses more on reconciliation, economic development, education and justice. In this regard, the inclusion of women must continue to be encouraged from family and community to national level,” he said.
The President challenged African governments to accelerate the multifaceted empowerment and inclusion of women across all sectors of economies.
“We must do our part to break the glass ceiling and open doors of opportunity. There is nothing that limits women from occupying any position in any sector of the economy. “I call upon the Zimbabwe chapter to bring to fruition the ongoing efforts to implement the objectives and goals of the network which aims to positively impact the lives of ordinary women and girls in our country,” added President Mnangagwa.
He said the new concept of women network will generate the much-needed support for women’s leadership and urged the network to bridge the generational gap through mentorship of young women.
President Mnangagwa challenged the network leadership to speak with one voice to push the women agenda.
Women Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni is the inaugural chair for the Zimbabwe chapter.
Other members include Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, MDC-T president Dr Thokozani Khupe, former vice president Dr Joice Mujuru, Dr Nyaradzo Gumbonzvanda, Ms Ruvarashe Miti and Dr Nothabo Ncube who are both youth representatives in the network.
In her remarks, Minister Nyoni said AWLN was established in 2017 following a meeting at the UN.
“The intention was to create a forum for existing and emerging women leaders across the continent of Africa to share their experiences and create partnerships across the continent in order to work towards Africa Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
“Women make 52 percent of Zimbabwe’s population and are a force for socio-cultural, political and economic development of our country.
“The national Chapter of this movement will galvanise women leaders to effectively engage in the country’s development discourse,” she said.
Said Minister Mutsvangwa: “Today is truly a dream come true. As one of those who attended the inaugural global meeting in 2017 where African Women in Leadership Network was launched, it gives me pleasure to witness and be part of this launch.”
She thanked President Mnangagwa for championing the cause of women. “Thank you for demonstrating a commitment to create an enabling environment for women so that they meaningfully participate in shaping sustainable development in Zimbabwe. A commitment which is steeped within our Zimbabwe Constitution,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
In a statement Ms Bineta Diop the special envoy of the AU chairperson, Mr Moussa Faki Mahammat for women, peace and security congratulated Zimbabwe on the launch.
“Today you are joining a growing number of countries where AWLN chapters have been established to enhance women leadership and we are proud of that. By launching this AWLN chapter you recognise the importance of women to building the Africa we want.
“Women leadership is necessary now more than ever to prevent and mediate conflict, to build sustainable and lasting peace and be agents of economic and financial change and as guardians and leaders of a corruption free society,” she said.
ZIMBABWE is targeting to increase exports to Botswana with local companies expected to leverage on this week’s Zimbabwe-Botswana Bi-National Commission (BNC) Conference to tap into existing trade opportunities and seek synergies with their neighbouring counterparts.
In a bid to foster closer cooperation between Zimbabwe and Botswana, President Mnangagwa and his delegation, including business leaders, will take part in the 2nd Session of the Zim-Bots BNC that is already underway in Maun, Botswana. The high-level indaba began yesterday and will close on Friday.
President Mnangagwa is expected to arrive in Botswana tomorrow evening ahead of the talks with his counterpart, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, which will mark the height of the conference on Friday.
In line with the objectives of the BNC of strengthening economic ties between Zimbabwe and Botswana, ZimTrade and the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC) will be facilitating a Business Forum that will be held tomorrow, on the sidelines of the BNC.
The Business Forum will provide a platform for Zimbabwean and Botswana companies to interact and establish business linkages with the goal of increasing business generated between the two countries.
ZimTrade, the national trade development and promotion body, will be facilitating the participation of local companies from various sectors that include manufacturing, clothing and textiles, mining, engineering and services.
This thrust is in line with its 2020-2023 strategy, which seeks to increase exports to regional markets, including Botswana.
ZimTrade chief executive officer Mr Allan Majuru said increasing exports to Botswana can be easily achieved given the simplicity of logistics provided by the Sadc Trade Agreement and the Zimbabwe-Botswana bilateral agreement.
“Regional trade is vital in improving our trade balance and Botswana represents an excellent opportunity for Zimbabwe because, not only are our diplomatic relations at an all-time high, but Zimbabwean products, which were previously very popular in the country, can still leverage on the existing legacy of quality and competitiveness,” he said.
Botswana is one of Zimbabwe’s traditional trading partners.
However, recent trade statistics between the two countries show that local companies have not been fully servicing that market.
According to Trade Map, Zimbabwe total exports to Botswana were US$19,2 million in 2018 against Botswana’s total import bill of US$ 4,4 billion.
This is despite Zimbabwe’s proximity to Botswana, which makes it easy to land products in that country.
A market survey conducted by ZimTrade in Botswana in 2019 revealed potential for local businesses to supply an array of products and services to Botswana.
These export opportunities are in sectors such as processed foods and fresh produce sectors, agricultural implements and inputs, building material and mining supplies.
For example, Zimbabwean companies have potential to export mainly processed foods such as pork products, tinned foods, cereals, milk and milk- based products, cordials, biscuits, and sweets.
Botswana is also a net importer of fresh produce that local exporters have capacity to supply. According to Trade Map, total imports of fresh produce were US$60,25 million in 2018, up from US$54,81 million in 2017.
Produce such as vegetables, bananas, apples, oranges and pepper can perform well in the Botswana market and local exporters can earn more if they value add their commodities.
Although South African companies will be a competitive challenge for local companies that are looking to increase their market share of Botswana, ZimTrade has said there is potential to supply the retail sector in Botswana.
This was on account that all retailers source both directly from the manufacturers as well as through distributors or agents.
Local exporters can also leverage on Zimbabwe’s global reputation of a producer of quality products as some local brands are already household brands in Botswana, said the trade development and export agency.
Batswana regard Zimbabwean products to be of great quality and some buyers who interacted with locally produced products at the Botswana Global Expo held last year indicated willingness to “go Zimbabwe” if local players are able to supply.