Zimbabwe reaffirmed its commitment to gender equity and women’s empowerment during a high-level visit by the United Nations Women Executive Board, positioning itself as a serious actor in the global gender justice movement. The visit, which spans a week, serves as a platform for reviewing national progress, strengthening partnerships, and identifying new areas of cooperation in promoting women’s rights.
During a meeting in Harare, the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, underscored the government’s sustained efforts to entrench gender equality across sectors. She highlighted the institutionalisation of gender mechanisms such as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, Gender Mainstreaming Directorates, and the Parliamentary Committees on gender. The country has also developed a National Gender Machinery Coordination Framework to unify these efforts under a coherent strategy.
Senator Mutsvangwa drew attention to government-backed financial instruments aimed at uplifting women economically, including the Women’s Development Fund, Empower Bank, and the Zimbabwe Women Micro-Finance Bank. These institutions, she said, have been instrumental in providing women with the capital and resources to launch and grow their businesses, especially in informal markets where women dominate. Initiatives to create safer marketplaces and workspaces further underline Zimbabwe’s intention to create a gender-responsive economic environment.
Acknowledging the pivotal role of UN Women in providing financial and technical support, the Minister also raised concerns over global trends threatening to reverse gains in women’s rights—citing funding cuts and increasing restrictions worldwide. The visit, therefore, not only celebrates progress but also renews Zimbabwe’s call for continued international solidarity, urging global stakeholders to stay the course in the shared fight for gender equality.
