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Fidelis Munyoro,Harare Bureau
Government is committed to facilitating the empowerment of women in all spheres of life and escalate their engrossment in the mainstream economy, President Mnangagwa has said.

He urged women to expoit the immense opportunities in mining, agriculture, financial services, energy, ICTs, infrastructure development, tourism, among other sectors.

President Mnangagwa said this while addressing women at the inaugural Proweb Women’s Breakfast Meeting held in Harare yesterday.

Proweb draws together women professionals and executives from varied sectors of the economy.

The meeting availed the women and President Mnangagwa a platform to dialogue and share business and economic perspectives, experiences, opportunities, challenges, as well as aspirations for the future.

“My Government acknowledges that women are a force to reckon with and cannot be disregarded or ignored in the socio-economic and political spheres of our country,” said President Mnangagwa.

“We recognise and appreciate the impact that women’s involvement in families, business and communities have on sustainable development.”

President Mnangagwa hailed Proweb for helping grooming and nurturing young women to become reputable entrepreneurs and business leaders.

He expressed confidence that Proweb would make a huge contribution towards the attainment of vision 2030 and the modernisation and industrialisation of the country.

“I urge all women to be industrious, restless and active in pursuit of the multifaceted trade and investment opportunities that have become more abound in the Second Republic,” said President Mnangagwa.

“Taking advantage of my Government’s modernisation and industrialisation agenda, I urge you to harness your skills and competencies to develop scientific knowledge systems to beneficiate and value add our natural resources, as well as support and drive innovation and inventions that proffer solutions to the challenges that women face on day to day basis.”

President Mnangagwa said the geographic and commodity-based Special Economic Zones presented opportunities for women to venture into business for broader regional and international markets.

He said women were encouraged to enter export markets and penetrate into global value chains riding on the Government’s engagement and re-engagement policy meant to re-ignite the confidence and trust in the country.

“You are equally urged to be in the forefront in searching for joint ventures and strategic partnerships,” he said. “In the same vein, I urge you to harness your collective expertise and demographic advantage by, for example, creating partnerships with women smallholder farmers; to venture into untapped sectors such as the livestock value chain, horticulture and floriculture which have a ready export market.”

President Mnangagwa said Government would continue to introduce instruments to enhance women’s access to finance at a low cost.

In June this year, Government launched the Zimbabwe Women’s Micro-Finance Bank (ZWMB) which is set to increase availability of credit finance to women.

President Mnangagwa said women should be urged to develop and improve unconventional credit loan schemes such as rotating money clubs to empower themselves.

He said his administration prioritised the advancement of women in leadership and decision-making in every sector.

“My recent appointments of women to head national institutions and portfolios of Government bears testimony to my resolve of ensuring women play their part in the rebuilding process of our great nation,” said President Mnangagwa.

“There can be no glass ceilings for you women. No opportunities should be denied to you or aspects of life closed to you. Be assured that talent and competency will be rewarded in the Second Republic.

“I urge the women executives among you to be catalysts in advocating policies that uplift and empower other women through employment, career development and promotion.”

President Mnangagwa said women executives were best placed to facilitate the procurement of goods and services, as well as other auxiliary services from women-led companies and SMEs.

“It is within your purview to help us in our goal to raise employment, reduce poverty levels and support start-ups,” he said.

President Mnangagwa appealed to all women in the Diaspora with particular skills and expertise to return home and help in the rebuilding of the country.

He said it was time Zimbabwe turned brain drain into brain gain for the good of the country.