Govt alive to gender disparities: Minister

GOVERNMENT has been instrumental in addressing gender disparities and has played a leading role in harnessing untapped potential and skill diversity in women.

It has also played a leading role in bridging the gap between men and women.

This was said by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Senator Monica Mutsvangwa during the launch of International Women’s Day, 2018 edition, held last in Mutare last month.

“This is evidenced by deliberate investment in the establishment of a ministry mandated to transform the lives of this marginalised group which constitutes 52 percent of our population through integrating into the nation’s economic revival process as accelerators and catalysts of economic growth,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.

“To date, incremental gains have been registered with calls for society to do away with harmful traditional customs and practices, and move towards respecting and appreciating our women and girls growing louder each year.”

Sen Mutsvangwa said women are the most affected during turbulent times with most having to shoulder burdens associated with paid and unpaid work.

She said there was need to continuously empower women and involve them in decision-making and development as equal partners.

“There is a need to enhance equity through the involvement of women in all development processes as equal partners with men.

“Women still remain under-represented at all levels of decision-making and continue to have limited access to land rights and control over productive resources, limited access to quality social services and increased vulnerability to gender based violence in public and private spheres,” she said.

Sen Mutsvangwa encouraged Government to continue spearheading programming policies that ensure women are included in the economy.

“Women should be at the centre of challenging discriminatory, oppressive policies and systems and should be key agents for achieving inclusive and sustainable development,” she said.

Sen Mutsvangwa said women have an important role to play in nation building and should be at the centre of challenging policies and oppressive systemic barriers in order to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.

“Women need to be game changers who influence socio-political and economic development of our nation,” she said.

She encouraged women to support each other to make sure that no one is left behind.