Minister Monica Mutsvangwa
By Dickson Bandera
Government is confident that the establishment of community hubs in different parts of the country will improve the access to information and skills, and ultimately promote women rights.
The empowerment and protection of women is one of government’s top priorities hence the government is partnering private sector, civic society organisations, donors, among other institutions in finding sustainable solutions to challenges affecting women and the girl child.
Recently, UN Women and the European Union under the Spotlight Initiative Programme partnered with local Civil Society Organisations and supported the establishment of knowledge hubs in four centres namely Bindura, Bulawayo, Harare and Murewa. .
These hubs will provide a friendly, safe and resourceful space for women and girls to discuss matters that affect them in their everyday life.
Equipped with training facilities for a wide range of income generating and survival courses, the hubs will provide a conducive environment for women and girls to bridge information and skills gaps.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa was upbeat when she officially opened the Rosaria Memorial Trust (RMT) Feminist knowledge Hub in Murehwa on Thursday.
“At the onset let me applaud the work that was done by RMT in the establishment of this Centre which is set to become an outstanding one stop information centre in Murehwa for women and girls wanting to access knowledge on empowerment, Gender Based Violence, Sexual and reproductive health and any other information that concern them,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“These knowledge hubs will be crucial as they provide a comprehensive and integrated platform for all individuals and organizations to access and share knowledge related to Violence against Women and Girls and they will provide an easy access to evidence-based research, best practices, and resources to advance gender equality and promote women’s empowerment,” she added.
“We also anticipate to see another increase in women empowerment services and in more women taking up empowerment opportunities in the various sectors which is key to reducing Gender Based Violence,” she added.
Minister Mutsvangwa underscored the essence of information saying without access to information, girls and women will be more vulnerable.
“Ladies and gentlemen information is key to promoting the empowerment of any society. Women and girls cannot claim their rights if they do not have knowledge of what those rights are.
“They cannot seek protection from abuse if they are not aware of what constitutes abuse. As such this centre stands out as a milestone development in terms of information dissemination in Murehwa and in other areas where they have been established,” she said.
The government has taken notable steps in addressing Gender based violence and issues concerning women in recent years. In 2013 the Government adopted a Constitution which provides for eradication of violence against women and girls. Section 25 and Section 52 provides for the Government to put in place mechanisms to respond to GBV as well as outlawing marriage of children below the age of 18 years.
The Domestic Violence Act (2007) was put in place to address domestic violence in all its forms and has been a useful legal instrument to advance the rights of women.
Zimbabwe, on 27 October 2021 signed the High Level Political Compact together with other high level stakeholders who include Development Agencies, UN Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, Traditional Leaders and Religious Leaders.
These steps will be complemented by the services offered at these community hubs. The Minister expressed confidence that these hubs will be a game changer in the equipping and empowering the whole person.
“Of late women and girls have been lagging behind in terms of technology and access to digital information but this gap is now set to be addressed through these knowledge hubs,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
The Minister also called upon all our partners to take a proactive role in the fight against Gender Based Violence and Harmful practices by complementing the work that has been done by Rosaria Memorial Trust through prevention and service provision towards survivors of GBV and Harmful Practices.
“It is imperative that our partners assist in establishing similar centres across the length and breadth of the country covering all districts and provinces,” she added.
