Story by Tarirai Madhuyu
The Young Women of Africa (YWOA) Southern Africa chapter has been launched in Zimbabwe, with women economic emancipation high on the agenda.
The regional organisation seeks to bring together young women of Africa from different liberation movements to strategise on the economic emancipation of women.
Participants at the launch hailed the initiative for considering women in regional empowerment programmes.
Secretary General and Central Committee member of the MPLA od Angola, Mrs Helena Chihuissa said, “As you can see all the effort made by various African countries in empowering women, it’s high time that women stand up for themselves and carry on the fight. This is fertile ground for us to complement our leaders and become creators of our own destiny.”
“Personally, I have benefited a lot as you can see that I have also been honoured today, meaning to say that women are able to be elevated in the community,” a participant told the ZBC News.
Another said, “African women have the potential to achieve greater heights by considering all the support we are getting from our male counterparts. I think this is a good initiative which deserves maximum support from the region.”
“As you can see, I am a disabled woman, this organisation also caters for every person without favour. Everyone is acceptable and is given enough chance to prove their capabilities without fear and favour. I really want to encourage fellow women to come on board,” noted another.
It also emerged the Young Women of Africa focuses on ending gender based violence, gender inequality and women cross-border trafficking.
Continental Convener and African National Congress member, Mrs Precious Banda said, “We are grateful that our leaders have paved a way forward for us to be able to stand on our own for the benefit of African women. This has become the best platform for us to advocate against social ills such as gender based violence as well as for gender equality.”
“We are very happy that Zimbabwe managed to host the second launch of our organisation concurrently with the hosting of the SADC summit. This has given Zimbabwe the power to lead in women empowerment and has since been regarded as the case study in the region,” said Deputy Continental Convener and ZANU PF Central Committee member, Cde Sibongile Sibanda.
Vice President of the Pan African Women’s Organisation Southern Africa Region, Honourable Bathabile Dlamini encouraged African women to safeguard the gains of the liberation struggles fought across the region and embrace economic empowerment initiatives undertaken by continental leaders.
“I would want to urge fellow women to safeguard what we fought for. There is need for them to tirelessly work towards their development in every sphere. There should be unity amongst ourselves so that we will be able to elevate ourselves. Women of today need to be educated and above all be innovative and be able to share ideas for the development of our future,” she said.
Representatives from Botswana, South Africa, Angola , Zambia, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe attend the launch of the regional women initiative.
