The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
THE Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Cde Judith Ncube, has urged women leaders to continue impacting communities and mentoring young generations in order to enable women’s equal and effective participation as leaders in various platforms.
Speaking during a Women Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) and HIVOS – Women Empowered for Leadership (WE4L) awards ceremony for the Bulawayo Chapter that were held online on Friday, Cde Ncube said women leaders at all levels have a huge role to play in amplifying the voice of women in all platforms.
The awards ceremony was held in a bid to recognise and appreciate outstanding women leaders within Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) and public administration institutions.
“This event comes at a time when we are faced with the Covid-19 pandemic which is affecting the entire world. This pandemic has significantly altered our way of life. It’s pleasing to note that as women you are persevering and overcoming challenges posed by this pandemic.
Today we are celebrating the excellence of women in various leadership roles. Women who have gone out of their way to impact the lives of other women in community.
“I urge you all as women leaders to continue impacting communities and elevating women. May you continue to mentor younger generations they will be the ones who will continue with this drive to see the woman empowered and recognised. Let’s continue to amplify the voice of the woman and let’s change the narrative of women in our time,” she said.
Cde Ncube urged women to remain united and forge ahead with one voice.
She also implored women to derive lessons from the lives and experiences of women who were legends in the fight for empowerment.
She advised women to focus on recording great achievements. She also applauded WCoZ and HIVOS for coming up with such an initiative which inspired women to perform to their fullest.
In a statement WCoZ chairperson for the Bulawayo chapter, Ms Nomuhle Nyoni said the purpose of the awards ceremony was to recognize and show appreciation to women leaders who have impacted communities outstandingly.
“WCoZ in partnership with HIVOS is implementing a Strengthening Women’s Effective Participation in Leadership Positions (SWEPP) intervention through its existing provincial structures. The intervention seeks to increase women’s representation and ensure effective participation of women leaders in public administration and Civic Society Organisations (CSOs).
The programme is further responding to development intervention needs expressed by women and stakeholders key to enable women’s equal and effective participation as leaders in civil society and public administration through various activities.
“The purpose of the awards ceremony is to identify outstanding impact by women leaders who have resoundingly demonstrated the utilisation of knowledge and skills gained through the Women Empowered for Leadership (WE4L) initiatives since 2016. To award and show recognition to women leaders who have impacted communities outstandingly and to identify role models and mentors for the Women Empowered for Leadership Program. We want to acknowledge women for their outstanding performance and also motivate other women,” she said.
Contestants submitted portfolios communicating the work they have done in their communities from 2016 when the Women Empowered for Leadership (WE4L) initiative commenced to date.
Mrs Audrey Manyemwe who is the Bulawayo City Council gender focal person was awarded for outstanding performance under public administration institutions, Mrs Minella Mono who is the Director of Sinethemba Trust was awarded for outstanding performance under Civic Society Organisations category while Ms Nobuhle Mazalu who is director of Let’s Do Charity was awarded under the independent commission’s category.
The winners each received prize money and a certificate of honour.
The women leaders ventured in various charity works which include assisting the vulnerable and they also empowered women with various skills and assisted women to venture into various projects such as dress making, bead work, goat and chicken farming and gardening as a source of livelihood.
@DubeMatutu
