Media portrayal and employment conditions of PWDs still worrisome

By Byron Mutingwende and Patricia Mashiri The portrayal of people with disabilities (PWDs) and their employment in the sector still remains worrisome with stakeholders calling for an inclusive approach towards addressing the needs of this marginalised group. In his opening remarks at a workshop dubbed “The Media and Disability: Opportunities and Challenges” held in Harare…

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Green initiative to steer industrial transformation

By Byron Mutingwende The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Government of Zimbabwe and the Business Council for Sustainable Development of Zimbabwe (BCSDZ) are partnering in pursuit of a Green Industry Initiative to promote industrial energy efficiency and embrace renewable energy for productive use. It has emerged that despite the existing knowledge on energy…

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RBZ, Miracle Missions, ARC promoting financial inclusion and good health of PWDs

By Patricia Mashiri and Byron Mutingwende In an effort to promote financial inclusion among people with disabilities (PWDs) and afford them quality health services, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), the Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) and Miracle Missions partnered to capacitate this excluded group. In her speech at the networking meeting with PWDs held at…

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2017 Harare Agricultural Show comes as country attains food secure status

By Byron Mutingwende   Preparations for the 2017 Harare Agricultural Show are exciting as they follow a successful agricultural season with food security assured, it has emerged.   In his address while addressing journalists on the preparations, Dr. Anxious Masuka, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) said the Harare Show sought…

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Promote good corporate governance and accountability – local authorities urged

By Byron Mutingwende and Patricia Mashiri   In order to build a positive image and attract investment, local authorities have been urged to espouse good corporate governance and accountability in their day-to-day operations.   In his remarks during the official opening of the 2017 Local Government Investment Conference (LOGIC) held at the Harare International Conference…

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Ensure equal representation of women and men in politics and decision-making

By Byron Mutingwende   Calls for ensuring the equal representation of women and men in politics took centre stage at the consultative workshop for “increasing women participation in decision making” held at the Harare International Conference Centre in Harare on Wednesday 26 July 2017.   In her remarks during the workshop, Nyasha Chikwinya, the Minister…

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Concern over increase in child marriages in Africa

By Nevson Mpofu The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, working together with the Women Coalition of Zimbabwe and Child Coalition have expressed concern over the increase in cases of child marriage and welcomed the new legislation to address the vice. Taking heed to India’s Founding Father,…

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Preparations for the Premier Showcase Market at an advanced stage

By Judith Kajuma Preparations for the women’s premier showcase market that will run from the 27th to the 29th of July at the Long Cheng Plaza in Harare are at an advanced stage. The Entrepreneurs will be showcasing high quality handmade artisan products and traditional foods that support local communities. Professor Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO Regional…

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UNFPA supporting maternal health, family planning and SRHR

The United Nations Population Fund has over the past couple of years made great strides in supporting humanitarian programmes in maternal health, family planning, sexual and reproductive health, gender based violence and HIV and AIDS. UNFPA gives support in these thematic areas in order to bring back home open space for healthy well-being, social status…

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Capacitate judiciary on combating wildlife crime: Lawyer

By Byron Mutingwende   A renowned animal rights lawyer, Vimbai Chinoda has said the Judiciary and law students need to be educated about the value of animals and their contribution to society and the economy.   The trivialisation of wildlife crime cases by the judiciary in the courts as highlighted by Minister Oppah Muchinguri is…

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How informal food markets disrupt and correct the notion of staple foods

BY CHARLES DHEWA For a very long time, each country has had what it considered a staple food for its citizens. However, climate change, globalization and changes in consumption patterns are disrupting traditional staple foods. My word web describes staple food as a necessary commodity for which demand is constant. Rather than continue promoting a…

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Wildlife management a critical component of SDGs

By Byron Mutingwende   Parliamentarians have been urged to lobby for governance solutions and legislation that advance sustainable wildlife management and conservation in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs).   This was said by Wonder Mashange, the Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Conservation Caucus at a wildlife governance workshop held at the Meikles Hotel…

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Wildlife conservation a vehicle for socio-economic development

By Byron Mutingwende   Wildlife conservation is a vehicle for socio-economic development and the government has put in place an enabling policy for its conservation under different land tenure systems.   Speaking to Parliamentarians under the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Conservation Caucus on wildlife management challenges in Zimbabwe, Oppah Muchinguri, the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate…

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New Gender Policy a foundation for achieving equality and equity

By Byron Mutingwende   The new National Gender Policy that is aligned to the 2013 Constitution lays a firm foundation for pursuing gender equality and equity in Zimbabwe, stakeholders have said. In his remarks during the launch in Harare on Thursday 6 July 2017, Georges van Montfort, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Director…

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Diasporas contribute to national development

By Byron Mutingwende   Diaspora nationals contribute immensely to the development of their countries of origin and destination countries it has emerged.   This was revealed by Grasiano Nyaguse, the Director of Economic Planning and Coordination in the Ministry of Macro Economic Planning and Investment Promotion at a workshop to develop a diaspora engagement action…

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Tsikamutandas potential conflict drivers in communities

By Habakkuk Trust The infamous witch hunters popularly known as ‘Tsikamutanda’, have taken temporary residence in Umzingwane Ward 9 where they are giving villagers ‘value for their livestock’, through their religious antics.   Known for their witch hunting exploits, Tsikamutandas employ mysterious spirituals tactics to capture goblins and exorcise people who are said to be…

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Behaviour change facilitators unpack community health issues

By Byron Mutingwende   A plethora of health issues affecting communities came to the fore at a meeting that brought together behaviour change facilitators that was organised by the Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research (Zichire) at New Ambassador Hotel in Harare on 28 June 2017.   Christina Gonese, the Zichire Demand Generation Provincial Manager said…

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Giraffe Heroes honours four citizens for Human Rights Work

By Byron Mutingwende Four Zimbabweans have been conferred with the Giraffe Heroes Award for outstanding work in promoting socio and economic rights in the country. The recipients are Tineyi Mukwewa of Abammeli Lawyers for Human Rights ,Youth Advocacy for Enlightenment and Progressive Orientation (YAVEPO) Director Zacharia Shawatu, Chiadzwa Community Development Trust(CCDT) founder Malvern Mudiwa and…

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Guard against pollution and promote a green economy

NEVSON MPOFU Nations in their frantic bid to reduce pollution are severely pulled down by human fertility factors related to high birth rate causing high population, which is the main anthropogenic agent of several pollution types. Population explosion compromises on fast rate resource scarcity, a contributing factor to loss of Biodiversity through mismanaged Human and…

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Hivos “Disrupt!FOOD!” programme promoting clean energy and sustainable food systems

By Byron Mutingwende   The “DisruptFOOD!” programme by Hivos that focuses on renewable green energy and sustainable food systems has seen the advent of simple smart technologies to promote good health and wellbeing.   Dr. Ephraim Whingwiri, the Founder and Director of Zim Earthworm Farms has come up with an interesting innovation that promotes the…

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Book aims to promote gender-responsive service delivery

By Byron Mutingwende   Gender Links Zimbabwe (GLZ) has launched a book entitled, “At the Coalface, Gender in Local Government” that assesses “Gender at Work in Local Government” in order to promote gender-responsive service delivery at the local level.   In his speech during the launch in Harare on Tuesday 13 June 2017, Christopher Shumba,…

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Food sustainability policies serve the world from wastage and loss of food

Global adversities need human strategies to end them and promote Food Security.… As Climate Change continues, adaptation and mitigation stand vital. Byron Mutingwende, Nevson Mpofu Food wastage and loss amounting to billions of US dollars lost annually throughout the World explains how lack of policies on food contributes to absolute poverty and social and economic…

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Zimbabwe moves towards ratification of 1954 Hague Convention

By Byron Mutingwende   Zimbabwe is moving towards the ratification of the two protocols of the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in the event of armed conflict, it has emerged.   Speaking at a stakeholders’ consultative workshop in Harare recently, Damir Dijakovic, the Regional Cultural Advisor of the United Nations, Educational, Scientific…

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Partnership gives birth to youth centre and satellite clinic

By Byron Mutingwende   In sync with strengthening partnership for sustainable development, the City of Harare came together with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and have embarked on an infrastructure project in Hopley to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services by young people.   Speaking during…

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CiZC implores government to focus on realignment and not amending Constitution

By Byron Mutingwende The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) says the indication by the government to amend the constitution exposes its lack of will to implement the supreme law adopted in 2013. “We are deeply concerned with efforts and intentions by the State to scrap dual citizenship by amending Chapter 3 of the Zimbabwean constitution….

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