Gender Equality A Development Goal: Hon. Muchena

In her remarks at the launch, Hon. Muchena said gender equality is of central importance in achieving Millennium Development Goals and as the nation now seeks strategies for economic recovery, growth and development, it is imperative that gender equality is seen as a significant contributor to the development arena.
According to Hon. Muchena, There is need to prioritize women-specific issues in budgetary allocations in order to redress the historical imbalances where women did not enjoy equal access to key resources and opportunities such as education, land, credit and decision making.
The just launched Gender Budgeting and Economic Empowerment Project is being implemented by ZWRCN in partnership with the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, and the Ministry of Women Affairs Gender and Community Development with support from the UN Women Fund For Gender Equality. Zimbabwe is one of the 13 countries the world over, and one of the three countries in Africa (together with, Liberia and Rwanda) to receive support under this fund.
The ZWRCN-led project will facilitate the development of appropriate fiscal, monetary and structural policy issues for equitable distribution of resources to reduce gender inequalities. Said Naome Chimbetete, the ZWRCN Executive Director.
Also addressing the launch meeting, Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Development Minister Hon. Sithembiso Nyoni said the need to invest in women in Zimbabwe could not be overemphasized. It is an untold truth that women entrepreneurs saved Zimbabwes economy from total collapse between 2007 and 2009 and that 60 percent of revenue collected by the Beitbridge Border Post is from women cross border traders.
Speaking at the launch, the UN Women representative, Doreen Nyamukapa, said her organization has pledged its support towards Zimbabwes efforts and political will to institutionalize gender equality through gender budgeting.
Chairperson of the Womens Parliamentary Caucus, Hon. Biata Beatrice Nyamupinga applauded the launch of the National Gender Budgeting Training Manual adding that Women Parliamentarians were looking forward to the training workshops already lined up under the ZWRCN Project.
ZWRCN is an information -based organization committed to gender equality and equity, promoting womens rights and empowerment from an economic justice viewpoint.