First Lady’s philanthropic work inspires global community into action
CAPTIVATING and inspiring.
These words aptly capture the feelings and experiences of dignitaries who were inspired by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s inclusive multi-pronged empowerment initiatives that have transformed the lives of women and girls at the Zimbabwe event held on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
The event was held under the theme, “Safe Spaces Catalysing Women and Girls Social and Economic Security: A Case of Collaboration between Government, Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners in Zimbabwe”.
The high-level event which was attended by heads of missions, experts in women’s issues, civil society organisations, the Zimbabwe delegation and other foreign dignitaries, was oversubscribed, resulting in some guests following proceedings while standing since no one could afford to miss the proceedings because the First Lady’s name and programmes through her Angel of Hope Foundation, are now popular across the globe due to her hands-on approach and hard work.
The mother of the nation was invited as Guest of Honour to the event in recognition of her unparalleled commitment to empowering womenfolk by providing them with safe spaces, skills and resources to participate fully in the country’s macro-economic development.
A documentary detailing Dr Mnangagwa’s breathtaking works and social interventions was beamed while a magazine with the same content was distributed, giving the world a glimpse into what she is doing for the people of Zimbabwe, mainly women and the girl child.
Amai Mnangagwa has become synonymous with the economic emancipation of women to restore their dignity and ensure they respectably raise their families without venturing into vices like prostitution and drug abuse.
Guests were awestruck and showered praises on the First Lady whom they said was setting a good example for other First Ladies across the globe.
Others expressed their willingness to visit Zimbabwe on a benchmarking mission.
They said the First Lady had placed Zimbabwean women on the pedestal of success across many sectors.
In a speech read on her behalf by Mrs Leya Mnangagwa, a board member from Angel of Hope Foundation, the First Lady said it was every citizen of the world’s responsibility to ensure women and girls live in environments free from violence, discrimination and fear.
She said she felt honoured to be part of the meeting, a very important United Nations annual calendar event where nations gather to reflect on how they have lived up to the commitments they have made towards the upliftment of the lives of women and girls.
“While the Concept of Safe Spaces is considered an emerging global concept, allow me to share that for us in Zimbabwe the Concept of Safe Spaces is a long-standing tradition that has deep roots in our culture and traditional practices.
“Concerned by the plight of survivors of gender-based violence, orphans, the homeless and the vulnerable, on my assumption of the role of the First Lady, I considered it key to put in place initiatives that strengthen and reignite the socio-economic security of women and girls and the vulnerable. Most of the initiatives are underpinned by the positive aspects of our culture and the concept of safe spaces, the theme of this event,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa said it was in recognition of the power that tradition and customs play in building communities that she introduced the Gota/Nhanga/ Ixhiba programme.
“The concept of Gota/Nhanga/
Ixhiba is a replica of our modern-day Safe Space initiatives. Traditionally, through the Nhanga/Gota/Ixhiba boys and girls were brought to discuss issues of concern separately while being guided by the elders of the same sex. I resuscitated this concept by going around the country, engaging girls and boys separately and empowering them with information on sexual and reproductive health rights as well as teaching them the importance of respecting themselves, their families and their communities. This programme has gone a very long way in building families and communities.
“In the same vein, working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, I also engaged in interactive sessions with adolescents on issues around child abuse, early marriages, teen pregnancies, drug abuse and bullying in schools while at the same time distributing safe sanitary wear for adolescent girls,” the First Lady said.
Shelter, Dr Mnangagwa said, is a basic human right and there is need to make sure that the homeless and orphans have a safe space in the form of a home for their economic and social security.
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