Harare, (New Ziana) -President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday launched the Presidential Women’s Empowerment Fund, hailing it as a landmark initiative designed to accelerate the economic participation of women as well as drive the socio-economic transformation of Zimbabwe.
Addressing thousands of women at the launch in Harare, President Mnangagwa said the program will unlock the full potential of all the people of Zimbabwe and ensure everyone participates in the journey towards the vision of the country to attain upper middle income status by 2030.
“This groundbreaking initiative stands as a beacon of hope, a powerful engine for economic growth, social inclusion and transformation. When women have economic power and sustainable sources of livelihoods, families are sustained, communities are developed, step by step, brick by brick, and stone upon stone,” he said.
The launch, themed “The Power of Empowered Women: Transforming Lives, Transforming Societies, Towards Vision 2030”, follows similar empowerment programmes for the ZANU PF Youth and War Veterans’ Leagues. The Women’s League Fund is expected to support projects in agriculture, manufacturing, SMEs, tourism, and construction, among other sectors—helping women create jobs, generate income, and expand Zimbabwe’s footprint in regional markets such as SADC and COMESA.
President Mnangagwa urged the Women’s League to adopt an inclusive approach in identifying beneficiaries, stressing that the fund is meant for all women of Zimbabwe.
He encouraged recipients to pursue viable, sustainable and market-driven projects, underpinned by accountability and financial discipline.
“The myth that women are not entitled to own wealth must be debunked,” the President Mnangagwa said, noting that targeted funding will bridge socio-economic gaps while empowering women as builders, entrepreneurs and leaders.
He praised Zimbabwean women for their resilience amid sanctions and climate-related economic shocks, applauding their investments in education, healthcare and community development.
He also acknowledged their role in driving unity and social cohesion through philanthropy and volunteerism.
“As we journey towards Vision 2030, I call upon women to play their role in nurturing unity, peace and development in our country,” he said. “The Women’s League is the backbone and mainstay of our revolutionary mass Party, ZANU PF, and continues to guarantee that our Party remains forever strong, popular and dominant.”
He challenged women to reject divisions and remain steadfast in advancing people-centred policies. Declaring the fund officially launched, he rallied women to continue building a prosperous Zimbabwe:
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo / ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekwe ngabanikazi balo. Together, let us continue to build the Zimbabwe we all want,” he said
New Ziana
