Govt, LSZ join hands to advocate for women’s rights

Source: www.zimbabwesituation.com

Source: Govt, LSZ join hands to advocate for women’s rights – herald Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo- Herald Correspondent THE Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, in partnership with the Law Society of Zimbabwe and other key stakeholders, brought Chitungwiza to life yesterday as women, girls, and community members gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day. The road show campaign held in different areas in Chitungwiza, focused on empowering women and promoting their rights under this year’s theme. “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls.” The programme, which was held at the provincial level following a national launch in Bindura earlier this month, aimed to bring practical empowerment to women and girls across Zimbabwe. Advocacy drives were at the heart of the event, enabling community members to learn about their rights and access resources to improve their lives.

Speaking to The Herald after the event, Dr Patience Ndlovu, Manager for Policy Research and Advocacy in the LSZ, emphasised the importance of these initiatives in empowering women at the grassroots level. “Every year, as the legal profession, we commemorate globally recognised days like International Women’s Day. This year, we chose to come to the community because we believe in taking justice and advocacy closer to the people,” she said. Dr Ndlovu highlighted the collaborative nature of the event, which brought together key partners such as Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, Legal Resources Foundation, Musasa Project, and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission among others.

Community-based organisations also played a pivotal role in ensuring the programme directly addressed the needs of women. “Through this initiative, we aim to equip women and girls with the knowledge of their rights, enabling them to stand up for justice and take action in their own lives. We also want to create a space for dialogue and solutions to challenges they face daily,” she added. Speaking at the event, Mr Albert Mutasa, District Development Officer in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, applauded the LSZ for its efforts. “This programme is about empowering women and girls socially, economically, and politically.

We want the community to rally behind women and support them in all aspects of life,” said Mr Mutasa, who was standing in for Mr Ernest Chimboza, the Provincial Head for Harare Metropolitan. Mr Mutasa said that such programmes are essential in creating inclusive communities where women and girls can thrive. “Our goal is to ensure that women and girls understand their rights and feel supported as they contribute to the development of our nation,” he said. Participants at the event expressed gratitude for the knowledge and resources they gained.

A 35-year-old Tendai Moyo, a vendor from Chitungwiza, said she learned about her legal rights and how to seek help if she experiences gender-based violence. “I didn’t know that I could get legal assistance for issues like property disputes or domestic abuse. Today, the lawyers explained to us what steps to take, and I now feel more confident that justice is possible,” she said. Another participant, Ruvimbo Dzvairo, a 19-year-old university student, said the event inspired her to take action in her community. “I have always wanted to help other girls, but I didn’t know how.

Learning about women’s rights has motivated me to start a small group to educate young women in my area about their rights and opportunities,” she said. Small business owner Memory Nyatsanza also attended the event and appreciated the focus on economic empowerment. “They taught us about financial literacy and how to access resources for small businesses. I now know where to go for help if I want to grow my business,” she said.

The event reinforced the importance of partnerships in advancing women’s rights, with legal experts, government officials, and community organisations working together to create meaningful change. The post Govt, LSZ join hands to advocate for women’s rights appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation .

Related topics: women's rights, International Women's Day, government, advocacy, Law Society of Zimbabwe, community empowerment, gender equality, policy, grassroots

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