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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected] 

THE Minister of Defence, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, has called upon the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to fully embrace gender balance in its ranks in line with the country’s constitution. Speaking at the official opening of the ministry’s five-day strategic planning workshop at a Bulawayo hotel yesterday, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri emphasised that the decision to embrace gender balance was non-negotiable.

“Let me also remind our ministry that we should at all times observe gender balance within our systems. This is a must as dictated by Section 17 of our constitution. I appreciate that we are making some progress in that regard, but we need to grow further,” said the minister.

Section 17 of the constitution reads: “The State must promote full gender balance in Zimbabwean society and in particular, the State must promote the full participation of women in all spheres of Zimbabwean society on the basis of equality with men; (b) the State must take all measures, including legislative measures, needed to ensure that- (1) both genders are equally represented in all institutions and agencies of government at every level; and (ii) women constitute at least half the membership of all Commissions and other elective and appointed governmental bodies established by or under this Constitution or any Act of Parliament; © the State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must take practical measures to ensure that women have access to resources, including land, on the basis of equality with men. (2) The State must take positive measures to rectify gender discrimination and imbalances resulting from past practices and policies.”

Meanwhile, in her keynote address, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the strategic planning workshop, which kicked off on Monday, provides the security services sector with a platform that brings them together as members of one united family to self-introspect over past performance and strategise on the ensuing performance cycle. She said this entails crafting new strategies to meet defined targets in sync with the Second Republic’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), whose aim is accelerating the realisation of an empowered and prosperous Upper-Middle income society well before 2030.

She noted that the workshop comes right on the heels of the ruling party’s 21st National People’s Conference, successfully held in Bulawayo under the theme: “Industrialise, Modernise Towards the Attainment of Vision 2030.”

“The workshop also follows the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Anti-Sanctions Day, which took place on the 25th of October 2024 and was equally successful. These events are key as they define and sharpen our mandate in the quest for improved service delivery and economic development, in consistency with the aspirations and dictates of Vision 2023 as espoused by President Mnangagwa,” she said. 

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri expressed her delight in the successful hosting of the national stakeholder’s forum on the National Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention during the period under review. The Forum was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), with the minister adding that it showcased the country’s commitment to upholding international standards and obligations.

She paid tribute to the major role played by the ZDF during the hosting of the hugely successful 44th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government. 

“As I alluded to, a strategic planning workshop of this magnitude renders the opportunity to identify our accomplishments, shortcomings, and strengths with a view of shaping and informing our actions in the subsequent period. This will culminate in us drafting the ministry’s 2025 annual work plan and performance contracts for the minister and the Permanent Secretary. The three key documents shall propel us to optimally contribute to the realisation of Vision 2030 as amplified by NDS1,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, adding that under NDS 1, her ministry is placed under the Governance Thematic Working Group, whose focus is on enhanced service delivery, improved justice delivery, and enhanced social cohesion.

She implored the workshop, whose delegates included high-ranking ZDF officers, to align its strategic objectives with national aspirations as encapsulated under NDS1. 

“This entails that our success in providing optimal security for sustainable development must now be preceded by our active participation in the broader national development priority areas.”

Attending the official opening ceremony were Bulawayo’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, Defence Ministry Deputy, Retired Brigadier Levy Mayihlome, and ZDF Commander, General Philip Valerio Sibanda.