“Disparities in ownership, access to, and control of livelihoods and economic resources such as land, water, credit, knowledge, and labour negatively affect women’s food production”
Minister Monica Mutsvangwa
By George Swarei
The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Honorable Monica Mutsvangwa has said rural women contribute immensely to agriculture as well as food and nutrition security of Zimbabwe.
Minister Mutsvangwa who was speaking on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women said The International Day of Rural Women is a UN Calendar Event that is celebrated every year on the 15th of October.
Said Hon Mutsvangwa: “It is a day that has been set aside to reflect on the contributions that women in rural areas make to their families, communities and the country as a whole. This includes, their participation in political and socio- economic activities.”
The Minister revealed that the national launch will be at Muteo Value Addition Cooperative in the Save Valley community under Chief Tsovani in Ward 25 of Chiredzi District.
The International theme for 2023 is “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All.”
The festivities will be commemorated under the following objectives:
- Celebrating and acknowledging the role of rural women in the development process with a focus on the role that women and girls play in the food systems.
- Strengthening resilience and raising awareness on the reduction of risk and vulnerability to climate change effects.
- Raising awareness on available programmes supporting women empowerment and gender equality and how women can benefit.
- Prompting Service Providers and Public-Private Partners to support and empower women enterprises in rural areas.
The national event will feature exhibitions, entertainment, financial services and other services as well as presentations on various topics that will empower women with knowledge on food systems, climate change, empowerment and health issues, amongst others.
The Minister decried gender disparities in ownership, access to, and control of livelihoods and economic resources such as land, water, credit, knowledge, and labour which she said negatively affect women’s food production.
“Failure to access land and other resources often imply that women obtain lower yields than would otherwise be possible if household resources were allocated more equitably. Insecurity of tenure for women thus compromises their production potential and increases food insecurity. Greater food security would be achieved if women had access to needed assets, equipment and resources and had a voice in the decisions that have an impact on the lives of their households and communities.” She added.
