HARARE, (New Ziana)— The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has embarked on a program to inspire young girls to pursue careers in the sector by exposing them to the diverse opportunities that exist, urging them to make informed subject choices early in schools.
Speaking at a belated International Women’s Day in the capital on Tuesday, permanent secretary in the Ministry, Joy Makumbe highlighted the importance of career guidance for students, noting that many professionals in the past entered fields without adequate information or support.
”Some of us pursued careers like engineering simply because of parental encouragement, without fully understanding what was required or what other options existed,” she said.
“Times should be different now. Our students must be empowered with knowledge about various careers and the subjects needed to achieve them,” she added.
She stressed that many students face barriers due to lack of information, often discovering too late that their subject combinations do not align with their desired career paths.
”There is nothing as frustrating as studying arts subjects, only to realise later that engineering requires mathematics, physics and chemistry,” she said.
This year the celebrations adopted a unique and interactive approach, with students symbolically taking leadership roles under the theme “student of the day.”
Representatives from the various parastatals under the Ministry, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Airports Company of Zimbabwe, National Railways of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority, and the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe attended the event, engaging directly with students, outlining career paths and opportunities within their sectors.
Particular emphasis was placed on aviation, a field described as under-publicised in Zimbabwe despite offering significant opportunities for women, with female professionals sharing their experiences working as air traffic controllers and in other technical roles, inspiring the next generation.
”We want girls to understand that there are many opportunities available, even in areas they may not have considered. The sky is not even the limit for them,” said Makumbe.
Organisers expressed confidence that the initiative would assist in bridging the information gap and motivate more young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and transport-related fields.
The Ministry plans to continue hosting such outreach programs annually, reinforcing its commitment to empowering girls and promoting gender equality across all sectors of the economy.
New Ziana
