Story by Fungai Jachi
ECONOMIC empowerment of women has been identified as key in preventing gender-related violence with the government committing itself to working with development partners and other stakeholders to come up with the needed investment and women empowerment strategies.
For a long time, women and girls have been bearing the brunt of gender-based violence (GBV) with research showing that one of the major drivers of the vice is poverty.
In this vain, women believe if they are economically empowered it will help prevent GBV.
“Empowering women economically is the greatest thing that can happen because when a woman is empowered she will be independent, it is sad that some women end up being abused because they will not have financial independence. Empowerment programmes should continue to be rolled out so that women should not be treated badly because they do not have a financial standing.”
The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small to Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa who was the guest of honour at a business award ceremony held in Harare this Saturday night said the government will continue to roll out various empowerment programmes.
“Our President is at the forefront of empowering women. I urge you to establish yourselves to have sustainable development. We want to see women prosper and even help brand Zimbabwe. The government remains committed to doing more to ensure women are empowered,” she said.
Meanwhile, women who excelled in different sectors received accolades as a gesture to acknowledge and appreciate their exceptional work at two awards ceremonies held in the capital on Saturday night.
