Govt consults on BBWEEF review

The Zimbabwe government is holding consultations with key stakeholders on reviewing the Broad-Based Women Economic Empowerment Framework (BBWEEF), an official has said. Addressing participants at one such meeting in the capital on Friday, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Moses Mhike said the exercise is aimed at addressing the various challenges bedevilling women in the country.

He said the government, through the Ministry, is mandated to economically empower women in all sectors of the economy. Mhike said the exercise they were carrying out is testimony to Government commitment to ensure women are empowered to take up space and participate meaningfully in the various economic activities in the country.

In Zimbabwe women contribute significantly to economic development and the government acknowledges the existence of the myriad of challenges which they face in their enterprises. To demonstrate its commitment to create a thriving business environment, the government established the SMEs Ministry in 2002.

It also created the Sall Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO) and in 2012 it established the BBWEEF to address gender inequlity in all sectors of the economy. The framework is based on the premise that the existing incentive systems no longer meet the needs of the small business sector and the challenges posed by the prevailing economic conditions.

New incentives and support programmes are therefore required to equip women with the necessary capabilities so that they can compete in local and international markets. “I have always believed if we get the economic empowerment framework right, it means our challenges like domestic violence will be reduced,” said Mhike.

He said issues like domestic violence are brought about by the lack of economic empowerment among women. Mhike cited the poor performance of women in the recently held harmonized elections where their numbers in Parliament and councils were drastically reduced.

He attributed the poor performance to lack of financial resources, saying politics in the country is a game of money. “As a woman I must go in there and be able to equally compete with men, provided I have got the resources,” said Mhike, adding women empowerment is key in transforming the economy, reducing poverty and attaining inclusive development.

New Ziana