By Zachary Gava
Harare, (New Ziana) – Palestine has proposed a formal cooperation agreement with Zimbabwe as it seeks to deepen bilateral relations while strengthening collaboration on women empowerment and solidarity between the two countries.
Palestinian ambassador to Zimbabwe, Tamer Almassri, made the proposal during a meeting with the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, in Harare on Monday.
He said the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would facilitate cooperation between the Ministries of Women Affairs of the two countries through the exchange of knowledge, best practices and experiences in the empowerment of women.
“I want to confirm officially that Palestine is ready to sign an agreement between the Ministry of Women Affairs here in Zimbabwe and in Palestine,” he said.
Almassri said Zimbabwe’s growing achievements in advancing women’s empowerment under the Second Republic had attracted admiration from Palestine, adding that the country’s experience could benefit Palestinian women.
“We noticed the progress in women empowerment, especially in the Second Republic, and we highly appreciate any kind of cooperation between Palestine and Zimbabwe,” he said.
He described Zimbabwean women as resilient leaders whose contribution to family, business, education and national development offered valuable lessons.
“The Zimbabwean women are well known as strong women who are working, taking care of their families, building society and contributing in the business sector and education sector. This unique experience should be studied and exchanged, and we are ready in Palestine to exchange our experiences,” he said.
Almassri also congratulated Zimbabwe on securing a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, saying the country would not only represent itself but also Africa and nations striving for peace, justice and security.
“Zimbabwe will not represent only itself in this mission, but will represent all Africans and all the peoples who are seeking peace, stability, security and justice, like the Palestinian people,” he said.
He also commended Zimbabwe for its unwavering support for Palestine, saying the solidarity that the government and people of Zimbabwe demonstrated had given hope to Palestinians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Almassri highlighted the devastating humanitarian impact of the war, particularly on women and children, saying thousands of mothers had been killed while tens of thousands of women had been widowed.
In response, Mutsvangwa reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to strengthening relations with Palestine, describing the longstanding friendship between the two countries as one built on mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation.
“We appreciate the longstanding cordial relationships between Zimbabwe and the State of Palestine, which were founded on mutual respect, solidarity and cooperation,” she said.
She said Zimbabwe remained ready to explore areas of mutual cooperation that would benefit women, communities and businesses in both countries.
“Let’s find areas where we can cooperate for mutual benefit,” she said.
Mutsvangwa expressed deep sympathy for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, saying Zimbabwean women stood in solidarity with Palestinian women and children affected by the conflict.
“As women of Zimbabwe, we are pained, we are in solidarity and we share the pain of those children whose lives have been cut short, those who are unable to go to school, and the many widows and orphans,” she said.
Drawing from Zimbabwe’s own liberation history, Mutsvangwa said the country understood the importance of international solidarity during difficult times.
“You are talking to a war veteran. The best thing you can have is friends who share the pain with you. As women of Zimbabwe, we share that pain,” she said.
Mutsvangwa also underscored Zimbabwe’s commitment to peace and development, saying the government remained focused on achieving the vision to become an upper middle income society by 2030 (Vision 2030), while promoting inclusive economic growth through women’s empowerment, small and medium enterprises, cooperatives and community development.
The meeting marked another step in strengthening Zimbabwe-Palestine relations, with both parties optimistic that a formal cooperation agreement between the two ministries would soon be concluded, paving the way for greater collaboration in advancing women’s empowerment and exchanging expertise between the two nations.
New Ziana
