By Michael Gwarisa in Shurugwi
Women and girls in Zimbabwe bear the biggest brunt of climate change, and economic challenges amongst other vices, hence the need for increased investment in women across all economic spheres.
The call was made by various stakeholders who attended the International Women’s Day Commemorations 2024 Commemorations at Chitora Primary School in Shurugwi. This also comes amid an Elnino-induced climate crisis whereby various districts across the country are facing a serious drought.
Officiating at the International Women’s Day celebrations, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said investing in women was the panacea to ending Gender Based Violence (GBV) and economic marginalisation of women.
The World Economic Forum estimates that it will take 135 years to achieve gender equality. Investing in women is a fundamental human right which is a cornerstone for building inclusive societies,” said Honorable Mutsangwa.
The celebrations were held under the theme, “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress” which according to Minister Mutsvangwa highlights the essence of advancing the women empowerment agenda accentuated through promotion of economic empowerment of women and community resilience initiatives, implementing gender responsive budgeting, ending poverty emanating from the impacts of Covid 19, climate disasters and socio-economic inequalities.
She added that budgeting and investing in women yields remarkable benefits for individuals, communities, and societies as a whole and women’s economic participation and their ownership and control of productive assets speeds up development, helps overcome poverty, reduces inequalities, maternal and infant mortality and improves children’s nutrition, health, and school attendance.
“Nation States across the globe face challenges in implementing Gender Responsive Budgeting which promotes investment in women across spaces, yet when we invest in women, we invest in a brighter, more equitable future for all, in line with our National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030 goals.”
She also said there are issues that need attention and matter the most in the lives of women and their families to be brought to the fore. The issues include technological change, digital marketing, climate change, access to finance, control over markets and ownership of productive resources.
She further said investment in agriculture and agricultural technologies, education, health care, and participation in public and private spheres should also be prioritized.
Mr Edward Kallon, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Zimbabwe said Zimbabwe has made progress in advancing gender equality and investing in women will further guard against losses to the gains made.
“This year’s theme – invest in women – reminds us that ending the patriarchy requires money on the table. Zimbabwe has made commendable progress in upholding the human rights of women and girls as equal citizens. As a signatory to international treaties and conventions, Zimbabwe’s commitment to advancing the women’s agenda has been inspiring,” said Dr Kallon.
Some of these treaties and conventions Zimbabwe has signed include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women, the SADC Gender Protocol and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
“To concretize these international treaties and conventions at the national level, several domestic policies and laws that further strengthen gender equality and women’s empowerment have been enacted, targeting inter alia domestic violence, education for all and inheritance. The Government and people of Zimbabwe should also be commended for these.”
He added that one of the challenges in achieving gender equality by 2030 was the substantial annual deficit of 360 billion USD in spending on gender-equality actions. The Global Gender Gap Index by the World Economic Forum assesses progress towards gender parity across four key areas: Economic Opportunities, Education, Health, and Political Leadership. The global average score in 2023, encompassing 146 countries, stands at 68.4%. Regarding Development Finance for Gender Equality, 43% of bilateral Official Development Assistance for 2021-2022 had gender equality as a policy objective, amounting to USD 64.1 billion. However, this percentage decreased from 45% from 2019 to 2022.
A recent survey on blended finance funds revealed that 65% integrate gender equality aspects, totalling USD 49 billion. Only 1% of managed assets were designated for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Ambassador of Sweden to Zimbabwe, Per Lingard said “Gender equality is crucial for achieving a just and prosperous society and it is something achievable if we all collaborate. Women face greater limitation in resources, ecison making and mobility.”
Meanwhile, the International Women’s Day celebrations coincided with the launch of the Shurugwi Organic Women Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO). The initiative of equips women with vital skills and knowledge to thrive as a savings and credit cooperative.
Midlands Province Permanent Secretary, Mr Edgars Seenza said the SACCO was a testament that investing in women and empowering them to run their business ventures was the first step towards achieving total women emancipation.
“Our venue for the commemorations running under the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. As clearly demonstrated here by the Shurugwi Organic Women Sibgs and Credit Cooperative a successful group of women who are into poultry production majoring in free-range poultry as the primary project and broiler and Layer production as secondary. This group is one among the over 60 women cooperatives that are flourishing in the Midlands and have subsequently improved their disposable income and living standards,” said Mr Seenza.
The project is being supported LID towards women empowerment. Zimbabwe’s population, is made up of 52% women.
