Harare, (New Ziana) –The Zimbabwe government has intensified efforts to empower women through agriculture, with the aim of reducing poverty and promoting economic growth at the grassroots level.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said this during a meeting with the visiting United Nations Women (UN Women) executive board in the capital on Monday.
She said her Ministry is committed to ensuring women have access to agricultural inputs and training, particularly those in rural communities, where the majority rely on farming for their livelihood.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to strengthen gender equality and expand opportunities for women across Zimbabwe, particularly through collaboration with the UN and development partners.
It also aimed to assess progress in women empowerment programs as well as explore further support from international stakeholders.
“The government has introduced climate-proof methods of agriculture to ensure food security,” Mutsvangwa said.
“Our role as a Ministry is to make sure that women are also beneficiaries of these programs. We collect disaggregated data to ensure that when Presidential inputs go to communities, women are not left out.”
She said her Ministry is actively monitoring programs such as the “Agric for She” initiative to support female farmers and young girls engaged in agriculture.
Mutsvangwa also stressed the importance of bringing agricultural opportunities closer to women by improving infrastructure and reducing the burden of household duties, which often limit the participation of women in economic activities.
“When schools are close to home and cooking is easier through the use of solar or biogas, women have more time to focus on agriculture and income-generating activities,” she said.
Mutsvangwa praised the support her ministry has received from the UN Women, highlighting that continued funding and technical assistance is vital for sustaining agricultural empowerment programs.
“Even a loan of $500 can transform the life of a woman farmer and her family,” she said.
She also pointed out the significant contribution of internal savings groups and women cooperatives in advancing agricultural development.
“We are seeing women move from buying food for their families to purchasing kitchen utensils, and some are even buying vehicles. That’s the power of supporting women in agriculture.”
Mutsvangwa commended the UN Women delegation for choosing Zimbabwe as the first stop of their mission and called for increased cooperation to boost women’s participation in agriculture and other economic sectors.
New Ziana
