‘Women can solve Zim challenges’
ZIMBABWEAN women have the capacity to comprehensively solve challenges being faced by the country, hence they should be afforded equal opportunities to contribute to the nation’s developmental programmes.
This was said by Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, who was addressing a high tea meet and greet event hosted by Proweb to celebrate her appointment at the Zim Cyber City in Mt Hampden yesterday.
“With women making up 52 percent of the population in Zimbabwe and the existence of many policies that support economic empowerment of women in all spheres of life, there are still gaps in achieving equality,” she said.
“These challenges include access to information, capital, lack of strong networks, gender specific discrimination, socialisation, among other factors.
“Over and above this, ladies, you as a group, constitute the core group that Zimbabwe can call upon to produce solutions to the challenges that our country faces.”
She said it was incorrect to say that only men can solve the problems this country faces.
“The Zimbabwean woman and particularly you as our professionals and businesswomen are equally capable of dealing with Zimbabwe’s challenges,” she added.
“Women at various levels in our country are already playing a critical role for their country.
“Women are renowned the world over for bringing instant solutions to problems facing their families and, therefore, their nations.”
Minister Mutsvangwa challenged women to take up the challenge of building the country.
“There is no reason why women cannot become the visionaries of mega projects,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“This should not remain the preserve of men.
“We would like to see more women penetrating male-dominated spheres owning power stations, large mines, banks, construction projects and energy sector.
“There is room for women to participate in the economic process.”
She applauded the sterling achievements of professional women in the country.
“You have demonstrated your excellence in an outstanding manner.
“You have done us proud. Please, keep up the good work.”
She said her passion was to see women gainfully empowered and enabled to participate effectively in the development process.
“My ministry is promoting women’s access to markets and provision of training on technical and business skills.
“One of the most effective initiatives to empower women was the establishment of the Women Development Fund and the Zimbabwe Community Development Fund.
“Both are loan schemes that provide affordable loans to groups of women in the case of Women Development Fund, and to women and men in the case of the Zimbabwe Community Development Fund, without collateral security.”
The ministry, she added, also established the Women Microfinance Bank in 2017 to provide tailor-made and affordable financial resources to women for incomegenerating projects and business start-ups.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation, said Minister Mutsvangwa, was also established to administer the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Revolving Fund, which is aimed at providing loans to SMES.
The event was attended by leading women business executives and diplomats.
Meanwhile, Minister Mutsvangwa said micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should formalise their businesses to enhance their contribution to national development.
She said this at the inaugural Summer Business Expo for MSMEs held in Southlea Park yesterday.
Running under the theme “Network for value creation combined with fun for the whole family”, the event attracted over 80 business enterprises operating in Southlea Park and beyond.
In a speech read on her behalf by the deputy director for business skills development, Mr Mamvura Mabika, Minister Mutsvangwa said hosting of such an expo was in line with the Government’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“I would like to congratulate the expo organisers for taking a bold initiative in establishing upmarket facilities in an area where most people would just put up basic structures to serve basic purposes.
“This indeed dovetails with Government’s thrust of developing modern appropriate infrastructure,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
The expo, she said, brings business people from different backgrounds together to network and exchange ideas which are good for growth.
“To the MSMEs exhibiting here, I would like to highlight that this expo not only enables you to market your products and services here in Southlea Park, but also serves as a springboard for you to scale up and participate at provincial and national expos like the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show and Zimbabwe International Trade Fair,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She urged organisers of the expo to make it an annual event.
Hempac Group Board chairperson Mrs Emilia Chisango said the event was a success.
“When you look at the people that are around here, you see success.
“I am really happy with the turnout that I saw here and most importantly, the fact that this expo was really opened for all MSMEs you may think of,” said Mrs Chisango.
She said communities like Southlea Park are despised by many but have a lot of potential.
“People only need to formalise their enterprises and realise their full potential,” she said.
Amongst the exhibitors were garment makers, graphic designers, backyard farmers, schoolchildren and reputable companies, including Econet Wireless and FBC Bank.