GOVERNMENT is ready to work with countries and organisations that are willing to work with Zimbabwean authorities while gender programmes will continue despite the United States pulling the plug on its funding, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises minister Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
United States President Donald Trump introduced a raft of measures that saw the cutting of financial aid driving many government interventions including gender mainstreaming.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Development Partners Engagement Meeting in Harare this week, Mutsvangwa said the US was entitled to do what it pleased.
“If Americans feel they do not want to put money into gender equality, it is okay. If this is what they feel for their country we will work with those who are available. We have got the EU (European Union) team here, UN [United Nations] team and other CSOs. They are all here and they have been working well with us,” she said.
Mutsvangwa said there was a need for domestic resource mobilisation as a coping mechanism and method to do away with donor dependence.
“Because we realised that we need domestic mobilisation, we realised that it is important to include, to bring on board our corporate companies. It is important as Africans that we also bring our African solutions and put some money for African solutions.
“You know we are under sanctions as a country so we are not able to move at the speed we want to move. We are very grateful for the support we get from the European partners and other countries,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mutsvangwa said although the ministry had challenges last year, support and collective efforts from partners saw significant strides being made in the gender equality and women empowerment landscape.
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“Notable achievements for 2024 include the upscaling of lobbying and advocacy initiatives to promote and strengthen women’s participation in leadership and decision-making positions at various levels with the key being the High-Level Women in Leadership Summit which culminated in the development of a communique, containing key recommendations on increasing women’s participation in politics and decision-making,” she said.
“Fulfilment of government statutory obligations including the participation of Zimbabwe at the statutory meetings, compilation and submission of State-party reports, key among them being the Beijing +30 Report.”
She said those were critical in tracking progress, reviewing progress, benchmarking and setting standards on gender equality and women empowerment.
UN resident co-ordinator Edward Kallon commended government for its proactive approach in engaging various stakeholders.
“This initiative showcases the ministry’s unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment here in Zimbabwe.
“The United Nations remains resolute in its support for the government of Zimbabwe as it strives to achieve sustainable development goals, particularly Goal 5 on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment,” he said..”
