Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation yesterday joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Women`s Day.

Speaking during the commemorations, Deputy Minister for Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, Tinoda Machakaire said, “It is paramount to note that this day is commemorated nationally and internationally. Women`s Day is a day specifically set aside to celebrate the significance of women throughout history. It is a reflection that serves as a call to action for greater gender justice in the world.”

Deputy Minister Machakaire reiterated that the commemoration of Women`s Day signifies that women are important in every person`s livelihood and therefore, they need to be celebrated.

“So today as a Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation we are in the spirit of recognizing women`s achievements regardless of their nationality, race, language, culture, political or economic status. We are also marking a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Yes we need to close the gender gap that still exists in all the spheres that concerns women in our nation Zimbabwe,” he said.

He encouraged the youngsters to aspire to take up leadership roles.

“However, we are not leaving behind our youngsters and those that are not yet in leadership positions. We urge you to start taking the small steps that will lift you to top positions in different leadership roles. It can be business fraternity, sports fraternity or arts fraternity. Dream big and aspire to reach higher levels,” he said.

The Deputy Minister said that the celebrations were not meant to debate reasons why women have been lagging behind but to find solutions to uplift them.

The commemorations on International Women`s Day was celebrated by all Government Ministries which is an indication that the women`s achievements in all spheres of life never go unnoticed.