Story by Oleen Ndori
AS Zimbabwe accelerates efforts towards the attainment of Vision 2030, women continue to play a critical role in transforming the country’s socio-economic and political landscape.
From boardrooms and businesses to community development initiatives and national leadership platforms, their contribution is increasingly shaping an inclusive and prosperous future.
Twenty-two women were celebrated for their work in the country’s socio-economic development across different sectors, representing the millions of women creating homes and raising children who respect the rule of law and drive Zimbabwe’s development ambitions.
This Friday’s awards not only recognised excellence and resilience among women across various sectors but also reinforced the importance of empowering women as key drivers of sustainable national development.
The first ZANU-PF chairperson, as well as the Minister of Defence, Honourable Oppah Muchinguri, was celebrated for her role from Zimbabwe’s struggle to independence and current Zimbabwe.
She says Zimbabwe is a land that honours its past and charts the way forward.
As such, women continue to pave the way for their development.
“This ceremony, the first of its kind in our history, is taking place coming 46 years after our independence, reflecting your commitment and dedication to women’s empowerment in all spheres of life, both economically, politically and socially. You are giving us dignity, confidence and pride, Your Excellency,” Honourable Oppah Muchinguri said.
Other women celebrated here include the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbara Rwozi, the first female Air Commodore, Ellen Chueche, the first female Prosecutor General, Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo, as well as Captain Chipo Matimba.
“I am happy and honoured, as you just said, by the leader of the country, His Excellency, a man who respects women and a man who has so much zeal and support for women, a man who wishes women can excel in whatever that they are good at. He lets us dream and lets us go with what we dream about, and opens the door for any woman who has the ability and capacity to do anything. Let me give my gratitude to him and, more so, to the First Lady, who is the patron of the ministry that I am leading. Many strategies and what we do in the ministry are led by Her Excellency. So I would not be Cabinet Minister No. 1 without the ideas and the direction and guidance that we get from our patron of tourism and hospitality industry, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa,” Honourable Barbara Rwozi said.
“Today, we celebrate the criminal justice delivery system, which is improving on a daily basis. And we hope that we will be improving going forward. We have not reached the mark yet, so we will still persevere and ensure that we provide a safe environment for all the citizens of Zimbabwe,” Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo said.
“I am very happy to be the first air commando in the air force and also being the first base command of the air force. I am happy because I can go to my country and I am proud to be a citizen,” Air Commodore Ellen Chiweshe said.
“I am feeling very elated, you know this award is really special given that it is a recognition of all the years that we have put into aviation and after so many years in aviation so many other women have followed the trail that we set and you can see that there’s a huge percentage now of women taking up aviation in several posts besides just flying but also in management and in other sectors of aviation,” Captain Chipo Matimba said.
“We have come far, and I am happy for the recognition,” Senate President Honourable Mabel Chinomona said.
As Zimbabwe journeys towards an inclusive upper-middle income society by 2030, celebrations here at State House are reflective of the commitment that women in various sectors continue to play towards the attainment of that vision.
