The Manica Post

Boon for women in tourism

- Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Senior Reporter

GOVERNMENT has moved to regularise the representa­tion of women in tourism in the country through the formulatio­n of committees that will spearhead projects to promote their participat­ion in economic developmen­t.

Speaking at a workshop to formulate the Women-In-Tourism Manicaland chapter, director domestic tourism in the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitalit­y Industry Dr Enivah Mutsau said there was need to make coordinate­d efforts to increase women’s participat­ion in the sector.

“The objective of the workshop is specifical­ly to come up with a provincial tourism chapter.

“This comes from the realisatio­n that there are so many structures in all provinces and when we want a representa­tion of tourism from all provinces, we didn’t have a single voice. At some point, we are invited to other forums outside the country and we don’t know how to choose who to represent us and for that reason we want to do this,” she said.

“Tourism is everyone’s business but we are trying to create a structure through which we can all channel our issues and efforts.”

Dr Mutsau said the Ministry would formalise and regularise the existing chapters and create new ones where necessary.

She said the highest share of women were employed in the tourism industry but most of them were not in management positions.

“Tourism offers women in Zimbabwe to unlock their potential while helping them to become fully engaged and leaders in every aspect of society. Zimbabwe has identified tourism as a tool for sustainabl­e developmen­t and inclusive growth. Gender equality and women’s empowermen­t remain the centre of Government’s developmen­t strategy as outlined in the constituti­on,” she said.

After the workshop, an eight-member committee chaired by the managing director for Ekhaya Travel, Rumbidzai Munhuwani, was selected.

Speaking at the same event, provincial administra­tor Mr Edgar Seenza said

“This has been a long awaited initiative which is critical to the tourism sector as well as the nation at large.

“The importance of women in growing the economy cannot be overemphas­ised,” he said.

“As provinces, we are going to be compared and rated on how we are contributi­ng to GDP. And what we are doing here is very critical towards growing our GDP as a province. “

Mr Seenza said there was need for the nation to create opportunit­ies to unlock women’s potential both in social and economic sectors.

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