The Ministry of Youths Sports and Recreation in partnership with the Betty Kaseke Foundation hosted a Women And Girls Sports Festival at Dzivarasekwa Stadium as a belated commemoration of International Women’s Day.
The Foundation chose to celebrate the day through sports and recreation. Activities such as Ball games (soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball) and indigenous mind and physical fitness games like nhodo, tsoro and pada were played while traditional dances were on exhibition.
“We all know that March is a special month for us women. We must all celebrate as women so today we are celebrating International Women’s Day together with our girl children through sports so as to promote unity and peace regardless of one’s background.
“Such activities also help to reduce early marriages and the abuse of drugs. We encourage our youths to participate in and take sports seriously because sports is part of employment and it can take our youths to higher levels. A very good example is our own Minister of youths Kirsty Coventry who was appointed Minister of Youths by His Excellency President ED Mnanganwa. She reached that level through swimming. This is a great achievement and an inspiration for young women and girls. Another example is our own boxing champion Charles Manyuchi. He is doing great and raising our flag high. Manyuchi is living a good life through sports,” Betty Kaseke, founder of the foundation said
The Betty Kaseke Foundation has more than 30 groups of Young entrepreneurs and women in business who exhibited different products. Women of today are doing wonders. Some of the products showcased were detergents and soft drinks, uniforms, vaseline, candles and women in Agriculture who are growing mushrooms and cabbages.
“Women in ‘command bakeries’ and women in tourism were also part of the exhibition. The women indicated that they are facing serious challenges which l as the Secretary for Women’s Affairs in that zone feel that they should be addressed by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs together with the Women’s Bank because most of them they are lacking financial support, capacity building training, market, and business skills. So l assured them that l will engage all the relevant stakeholders for assistance and l will also arrange for a Business Training Courses such as entrepreneurship; record keeping; Trade and Taxation; Internal savings and lending as well as Marketing and market research, ” Betty Kaseke said.
The former legislator and philanthropist said there was a need to equip and grow women’s businesses in a professional way. She said SMEs will also help to grow the economy of the country if given the full necessary support. The foundation donated medals and trophies to the winning teams. It thrives on the motto: If you empower women you have empowered a Nation.