Story by Fairstars Mukungurutse
AS the country seeks to align women empowerment with key national, regional and international frameworks, the government has updated the Broad-Based Women Economic Empowerment of 2016.
Speaking during the National Broad-Based Women Economic Empowerment framework validation workshop held in Harare this Wednesday, Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Ministe,r Senator Monica Mutsvagwa emphasised the significance of economic empowerment for women.
“It is important to note that economic empowerment is key in the empowerment of women as it positively impacts all other spheres of life, such as access to health, education, leadership and decision making roles, participation in politics, improving livelihoods and poverty alleviation, reducing GBV and wealth creation. Unlike its predecessor, the new framework is much broader and draws from all sectors of the economy designed to serve women from all backgrounds, including vulnerable groups. The thrust is to make women agents of change and this is aligned to major development policies and Vision 2030. Women should be equal partners in the development process,” she said.
International Labour Organisation (ILO)country director Ms Philile Masuku said the policy document is a critical tool for shaping the future of women’s participation in the economy.
“This framework reflects the strength and depth of the partnership between the government of Zimbabwe, the African Development Bank and the ILO. Together we have worked hand-in-hand to support women’s economic empowerment initiatives, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to the growth and the realisation of its development goals.”
The consultative process involved all ten provinces, ensuring the aspirations of women from rural and urban areas were represented.
University of Zimbabwe’s chairperson in the Department of Economics and Development, Dr Ethiel Mavesera said, “We have been doing consultations in all the ten provinces of Zimbabwe.We want to achieve an upper-middle-income society that is fully empowered by 2030, which is the President’s vision. If the government shows its commitment like it is doing, if they follow the suggestions that we have in the framework, we will find that by 2030, we will have the majority of our women being empowered.”
Guided by four foundational principles, the National Broad-Based Women Economic Empowerment framework seeks to eradicate gender discrimination, foster gender equality, implement inclusive women’s economic empowerment strategies and streamline affirmative action initiatives for optimal results.
