Story by Gay Matambo
THE ruling ZANU PF party has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive development, declaring that no one and no place will be left behind as the Women’s League Presidential Empowerment Fund was launched in Zimunya-Marange, Manicaland Province.
The launch ceremony, held at Bazel Bridge, was marked by an atmosphere of excitement as women from across constituencies in the area gathered to witness the official rollout of the fund, which is set to benefit women beyond party structures.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Cde Monica Mutsvangwa said the initiative aligns with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 agenda aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income society.
“We are here at Bazel Bridge with women from Zimunya-Marange, where we are rolling out a programme to empower women. The programme seeks to empower all women, not those in the party structures, but all women. We want to thank the President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, for his Vision 2030, which will see every household, every citizen developing,” she said.
ZANU PF Manicaland Province Women’s League Chairperson, Cde Dorothy Mabika, said the programme is being rolled out across the province in phases, having already been introduced in Mutare and Buhera.
“We have rolled out this programme in Mutare and Buhera, and tomorrow we will be in Nyanga, on Sunday we will be in Mutasa. The programme will see women being uplifted and the nation uplifted, which is what our President, Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, wants. So far, we have distributed more than 60 000 chicks to women, and many courses are also being undertaken by women to uplift their lives and families,” she said.
The empowerment initiative will begin with skills training in various disciplines, including baking, poultry, driving and farming, before funds are disbursed at village level to support income-generating projects.
ZANU PF Women’s League National Project Trainer, Cde Wekison Chadambuka, said training is central to the programme’s sustainability.
“For this programme to be successful, the leadership saw it fit that the women should be trained, and then funds would be disbursed at the individual village level to kick-start those income-generating projects. We want women to be able to pursue what they want and what they can do. That is how the programme is going to be brought to the people,” he said.
The Women’s League Presidential Empowerment Fund was launched last year by President Mnangagwa, who allocated US$300 000 per province to support women’s empowerment projects aimed at strengthening household incomes and promoting grassroots economic participation.
