Staff Reporter
Women Empowerment Summit (WES) held in Harare yesterday is set to promote inclusive development in line with Government`s thrust of leaving no one and no place behind.
In his speech read on his behalf by Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri yesterday, President Mnangagwa applauded the launch of WES highlighting that the engagement of women with various stakeholders would promote inclusive development.
“The Summit provides an opportunity to engage in a policy dialogue on issues that impede women`s participation in all economic spheres and to come up with recommendations that promote inclusive development. It also provides a platform for the creation of business partnerships and production of more goods and services.
“This resonates with my Government`s thrust of fostering inclusive development which leaves no one and no place behind as we march towards making Zimbabwe a Prosperous and Empowerment Upper-Middle Income Society by 2030,” said the President.
The President added that the participation of women in all sectors of the economy would also lead to gender equality.
“The empowerment of women, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development and pro-poor poverty reduction, is central to the attainment of gender and social equality, which are all necessary for ensuring vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities.
“The economic empowerment of women promotes economic growth, contributes to reducing income inequality, and boosts economic diversification,” said President Mnangagwa.
The President reiterated that the Second Republic was committed to ensuring that women participate equally and have access to and control over capital and productive resources through the implementation of policies and programmes that ensure access to decent work, increasing their voice and meaningful participation in decision-making at all levels.
The President enunciated that the Financial Inclusion Strategy 11 launched by the Government was meant to improve access to credit by disadvantaged entrepreneurs, including women. He further encouraged women to continue adding value to the country`s national resources and produce quality and competitive products for export.
Meanwhile, the Summit which ended yesterday was attended by women from various spheres of the economy which includes women from mining, agro-business, and engineering among other sectors. The Summit was running under the theme “Revitalising Economic Growth through Women Empowerment.”
