UN Women Executive Board Applauds Zimbabwe’s Progress on Gender Equality During Official Visit
Source: UN Women
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Zimbabwe has received renewed global backing for its efforts to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment following a high-level visit from the Executive Board of UN Women. The five-day mission, held from 5 to 9 May 2025, concluded with a firm commitment by both the Zimbabwean government and the UN Women Executive Board to deepen cooperation and scale up successful initiatives empowering women and girls.
Speaking during a meeting with the Board President, Ambassador Nicola Clase of Sweden, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to put women at the heart of national development. “We believe that gender equality is not only a fundamental right, but also a necessity for national growth,” he said.
Ambassador Clase, who led the visiting delegation, praised Zimbabwe’s legal frameworks supporting gender equality but emphasized the importance of translating policy into practice. “We urge the government to focus on the effective implementation of these laws,” she said.
The visit focused on highlighting the tangible impact of UN Women-supported initiatives in communities and served as a platform to strengthen collaboration between Zimbabwe, UN Women, and various development partners. Delegates toured a range of projects demonstrating how technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship are transforming women’s lives.
In Epworth and Umzingwane, the Executive Board visited marketplaces established through the EU-funded Global Spotlight Initiative Programme. These modern trading spaces offer safer environments and child-friendly services, enabling women to do business with dignity and security.
In Bulawayo, the delegation explored the Maker Space hub, a centre of innovation in textile production. Women-led enterprises there are using advanced machinery and digital tools to improve both the quality and efficiency of their products—opening doors to new markets and higher incomes.
The trip also took the Board to Murehwa, where they observed the Dura reruZivo-Ulwazi Feminist Knowledge Hub and the African Girls Can Code Initiative in action. Young women participants demonstrated their digital skills and shared powerful testimonies. “Digital skills are a gateway to independence and opportunity for women in rural Zimbabwe,” one participant shared, underlining the transformative power of technology.
The mission included engagements with top government officials such as Amon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development; and Jacob Francis Mudenda, Speaker of Parliament. Discussions focused on expanding women’s access to the economy and ensuring their full participation in governance.
“Ensuring women’s full participation in governance and business will drive Zimbabwe forward into a more inclusive future,” Speaker Mudenda told the delegation.
Beyond government partners, the Executive Board met with women-led civil society organizations and private sector leaders to discuss ways to foster gender-responsive entrepreneurship and bridge the digital divide. A representative from a women’s rights group noted, “While significant progress has been made, ongoing support and policy reform are crucial in breaking structural barriers that hinder women’s full economic participation.”
The visit ended on a hopeful note, with all parties expressing a shared determination to deepen partnerships and invest in proven initiatives. The Executive Board pledged continued support to Zimbabwe’s efforts to create a more inclusive and resilient future for its women and girls.
