Story by Memory Chamisa
THE government says it remains committed to accelerating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action through supportive policies that contribute to sustainable development.
Delivering Zimbabwe’s National Statement at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women session in York, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, emphasised the key role of women in various fields and government strides in promoting their rights and empowerment.
“Zimbabwe has made notable strides in advancing the empowerment of women through policies and laws that have enabled them to achieve equality in society,” Minister Mutsavangwa said.
“The constitution has also provided equal opportunities for women to be in politics, the government has the women’s quota, and in business 60 % of the SMEs are women-led. We have ensured that girls are also given equal opportunities as boys. In terms of ending GBV, we have had safe spaces constructed to assist survivors and safe markets for constructive business development.”
As part of the session’s activities, Senator Mutsvangwa also participated in a side event hosted by the World Bank on Multisectoral approaches to Empower adolescents where she articulated the importance of strengthening their healthcare, education and economic opportunities.
“Adolescents represent the future. As Zimbabwe, we reaffirm our commitment to the empowerment of adolescents ensuring that every young person including young women and girls strive for better. We strongly believe that the empowerment of young women and girls is not only a matter of equity but a catalyst for transformative development. Together by ensuring access to education, health care, economic opportunities and social justice, we can create a world where every girl can strive and every young woman can contribute to their communities,” she said.
Zimbabwe also hosted an Intergenerational Dialogue with notable speakers stressing the importance of upholding the legacy of the fourth World Conference.
“Intergovernmental dialogue is not just a conversation, it is a bridge that connects the young ones and their elders who have held the baton since 1995,” a participant said.
“It is the moment to push forward, we will not step back. Now, we must transform commitments into results with just five years left to achieve the SDGs, this must be our turning point to succeed in our aspirations to achieving gender equality,” a delegate said.
“The Commission on the Status of Women is a dynamo and catalyst for the transformation we need. Together, let us push back against the pushback on misogyny, and forward for women, girls, and our world. The world needs women’s expertise to address complex and interlocking crises, such as climate change, conflict, poverty, hunger and water scarcity,” Senate President, Senator Mabel Chinomona said.
Meanwhile, Senator Mutsvangwa also held bilateral meetings with the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Bineta Diop where discussions centred on ways to enhance cooperation in the area of women empowerment.
They also discussed preparations for the upcoming African Women in Leadership Conference and Awards which Zimbabwe will host later this year.
