Women empowerment cited as key to development
Story by Gay Matambo
THE need to empower rural women in fueling socio-economic development took center stage during the launch of the Young Women for Economic Development Mwenezi Chapter goat-rearing project at Rutenga Growth Point this Saturday.
As part of efforts to uplift the lives of rural women in Mwenezi District, a total of 27 women have benefitted from a goat-rearing project under the Young Women for Economic Development empowerment programmes.
Beneficiaries of the project are appreciative of the empowerment initiative.
One of the beneficiaries said, “We will now be able to send our children to school with the money we get from this project. Our lives will certainly be transformed.”
“As women in Mwenezi, we are thankful. We welcome this project with open hands and a goat-rearing project for us is certainly a game changer,” another added.
Young Women for Economic Development Masvingo Provincial Chairperson, Mrs Confidence Mukau revealed a similar project is set to be rolled out in the Masvingo district.
She said, “Each constituency in Mwenezi District will get 9 goats. That means 9 women in each constituency that is Mwenezi West, East and North will get a goat each. We are launching a similar project in the Masvingo district. These projects will also go a long way in curbing issues to do with drug and substance abuse amongst young women in Masvingo Province.”
The Masvingo Provincial leadership concurred that women empowerment programmes advance gender equality.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honorable Chadzamira said, “As President always says Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo, we are noticing major developments taking place in our country. The participation of women in the development matrix is also key. We applaud what the Young Women for ED is doing which is in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra, Nyika Inovakwa Nevene vayo.”
“I want to thank President Emmerson Mnangagwa for this goat-rearing project. This project is a step in the right direction towards women’s empowerment in rural areas. Apart from that, we have the Women’s Bank and several other projects that are contributing to the development of Mwenezi,” said the legislator for Mwenezi East, Honorable Sheilla Chikomo.
Young Women for Economic Development president Cde Tatenda Mavetera praised the government for affording young women opportunities to transform their lives.
“We thank you for voting for the ruling ZANU PF party and for President Emmerson Mnangagwa. At the moment the Second Republic is focusing on economic development. That is why President Mnangagwa is coming back to us with women empowerment programmes. The President is emphasising that women should be involved in income-generating projects. The project we are launching today is part of President Mnangagwa’s women empowerment programmes,” she said.
Under the Young Women for Economic Development empowerment programmes, poultry projects have been rolled out in Chivi, Gutu, Zaka and Bikita districts.
