EU steps up support for human rights, access to justice and citizen participation

The European Union has officially launched four new projects today that promote human rights, access to justice and citizen participation in policy dialogue for development in the key areas of health, governance and agriculture. The European Union (EU) provides a total of EUR 5159746 (currently approx. USD 5,875 million) form the 11th European Development Fund…

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Questions that must be answered before poor countries import or export food

By Charles Dhewa In the absence of evidence-based agricultural policy formulation and implementation, most developing countries always rush to import food without sufficiently understanding their national contexts. During gluts, farmers in areas where fruits are produced in abundance do not benefit from selling nationally compared to when there are shortages.  On the other hand, when…

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Sisters with a voice call on Parliament to implement Child Marriage Law

By Nevson Mpofu. The Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST), Parliament of Zimbabwe and Katswe Sisterhood came to the Legal rescue of five girls who had previously been sexually , physically, emotionally abused and exposed to child labour while below the age of 18 years.   The five girls Loveness Mudzuru, Ruvimbo Tsopodzi, Gladys Chihozhwa,…

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Africa Economic Conference 2018 focusses on Africa Visa Openness and integration

The annual Africa Economic Conference is the continent’s leading forum fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange in the search for solutions to the development challenges of Africa For millions of ordinary travellers, inter-African travel is still too often a nightmare. Be it border hassles, lack of road or air routes linking key cities, or the frustrations…

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Conserve natural habitats and wildlife: Hubert Boulet

Hubert Boulet is the Programme Coordinator of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme at Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) HQ in Rome, which is working in 13 pilot countries, including Zimbabwe. The SWM Programme is a major seven-year African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) initiative, implemented by FAO, that seeks to reduce hunting…

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Good Care Pre School: an epitome of excellence and academic pacesetters

By Byron Mutingwende   Good Care Pre School has proven to be a beacon of excellence and a pacesetter in academics over the eight years it has been in existence. Speaking during the prestigious infant learning institution’s graduation ceremony held on 1 December 2018 at the David Mascott Country School Campus, Mrs Gertrude Mandizvidza, the…

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Human Induced Climate Change Calls for Everyone’s Attention

By Tendai Guvamombe The science is sobering; the global temperature in 2012 was among the hottest since records began in 1880. Make no mistake: without concerted action, the very future of our planet is in peril,” said the Managing Director, International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde said in 2012.    This unfortunate situation among others now…

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Disability: Adopt empowering and inclusive policies and practices

By Juliet Muzondo (Disability Rights Activist and Disability & Development Practitioner) Zimbabwe joined the world in commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities which is celebrated every third of December under different annual themes. The main aim of this day is to create awareness on Disability. The 2018 theme is “EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES…

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Civil society hosts multi-stakeholder forum on human rights

A civil society consortium in partnership with the United Nations’ (UN) International Organisation for Migration (IOM) held a human rights clinic and a multi-stakeholder consultative forum on human rights from 26 – 27 November 2018 in Chiredzi, Masvingo province. The civil society organisations include Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights), Counselling Services Unit (CSU), Zimbabwe Lawyers…

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U.S. Government program improves lives of 600,000 orphans and vulnerable children

Yesterday at Golden Conifer in Harare, the United States celebrated the World Education Inc. Vana Bantwana program together with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare. With funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Vana Bantwana program successfully reached over…

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IFAD and Zimbabwe to affirm partnership and commitment to reducing rural poverty

In his first visit to Zimbabwe since taking office as President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Gilbert F. Houngbo will meet President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and other government officials to discuss investments to improve food and nutrition security, provide employment opportunities for rural youth, and reduce poverty.   The visit will take…

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David Mascott Country School officially opened to provide quality education

By Byron Mutingwende   The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officially opened David Mascott Country school after the private learning institution attained full compliance for registration.   Officially opening the school at a colourful ceremony on 29 November 2018, Mr Peter Nizira, the Deputy Provincial Education Director of Primary Schools in the Mashonaland West…

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Speaking peace needs an enterprising foreign policy

By Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey)  This week Istanbul will host two separate but related international conferences on mediation. One will be devoted to the state of play in the conflict map and capacity for mediation within the membership of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The second one…

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Merck Foundation marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck Germany, yesterday marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and also marked the start of the “16 Days of Activism” that precedes Human Rights Day on December 10 each year. Through their “Merck more than a Mother” campaign, Merck Foundation wishes to empower infertile women against all sorts of…

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All set for inaugural Data Science Zimbabwe Conference

By Byron Mutingwende   All roads lead to the inaugural Data Science Zimbabwe Conference to be held in Harare on the 13th and 17th of December 2018.   The conference seeks to showcase the value of data science skills and data science opportunities through industry case studies presented by local and international speakers.   According…

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Safeguard dogs trained with modern motivational techniques

Safeguard Security’s dog section uses motivational training techniques to teach its dogs to obey their handlers and apprehend intruders. The techniques are in line with the latest approaches internationally to dog training.   Just as techniques used in the education of children have been gradually changing to stress positive rather than negative motivation, so too…

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ZTA defers Carnival 2018 edition

The much-anticipated Harare International Carnival that is run by the  Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has once again been deferred. “The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority would like to advise all partners, stakeholders, the media and the general populace that after wide consultations it has been decided to defer the hosting of the Harare International Carnival. “The much…

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Create tourism and environment synergies: Mupfumira

Combining tourism and environment under one roof requires the creation of synergies to ensure a shared vision, and a team that will be united for the success of the new ministry of environment, tourism and hospitality industry. Speaking at her Ministry’s Strategic Plan in Mutare under the theme, “Towards a Prosperous and Empowered Upper Middle Income…

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Unlocking Africa’s Earth Observation Potential

The 1st Forum of the GMES and Africa (www.au.int/en/GMESAfrica) kicked off in the Gabonese capital, Libreville. More than 400 delegates from Africa, Europe and other parts of the world have gathered to discuss new and innovative Earth Observation technologies supporting Africa’s socio-economic development. Organised jointly by the African Union Commission and the government of Gabon, the…

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Communication and advocacy, data and information management critical for RVAA success

By Byron Mutingwende   The success of the Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis (VAA) efforts in the SADC region depends on strengthening communication and advocacy and data and information management systems.   This emerged at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis (RVAA) workshop in Johannesburg from 19 to 21 November 2018….

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Zimnat marathon raises $7 000 for Cebisani Ndlovu’s surgery

Zimnat’s first charity marathon, which was held at Barclays Sports Club in Harare on November 10, managed to raise almost the whole amount originally quoted for 30-year-old Bulawayo resident Cebisani Ndlovu’s spinal cord surgery. When Mr Ndlovu approached Zimnat for assistance, the amount needed at that time for the surgery at Mater Dei Hospital in…

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How the knowledge economy is inspiring new roles and responsibilities

Developing countries that remain stuck in colonial governance structures and forms of business are sleeping-walking into all kinds of crises. Some of the colonial forms of business still being practiced in most African countries include sole trader (traditional enterprises), companies, cooperatives and partnerships which function through mutual agreement to pool resources and skills together for…

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Government, PEPFAR partnership providing important HIV and AIDS interventions

By Byron Mutingwende   The United States (US) President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief  (PEPFAR) has been partnering the Government of Zimbabwe in providing critical HIV and AIDS interventions.   Obadiah Moyo, the Minister of Health and Child Care revealed this during PEPFAR’s 15th anniversary celebrations held at Batanai Gardens in Harare on 16 November…

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ZHRC Reports on Politically Partisan Distribution of State Aid During Elections

By Veritas The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has released a series of reports about politically partisan distribution of food and other State aid before and after polling in the 30th July election.  The ZHRC received numerous complaints over the manner in which food aid and agricultural inputs from the State were being distributed, and…

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SUNRAP provides credible evidence on tackling nutrition challenges

By Byron Mutingwende   The Scaling Up Nutrition Research and Academic Platform (SUNRAP) seeks to provide credible evidence by undertaking quality research, and strengthen the technical capacity of stakeholders (through appropriate training), to deliver a cohesive multi-sectoral action that improves food and nutrition security outcomes.   This emerged at the combined Scaling Up Nutrition networks…

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The Japanese Market Responds Positively To Destination Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s continued reengagement efforts with the international community have seen some positive waves within the tourism business circles. Japan’s top travel agents have responded positively to the call made by the of Environment, Tourism & Hospitality Industry Minister, Hon Prisca Mupfumira to visit Zimbabwe. The visit is a follow up to Zimbabwe’s participation at the…

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Youths compel government and other stakeholders to address their concerns

By Byron Mutingwende   The youths have come up with issues of high priority code named Key Asks that they want the government and other stakeholders to address as a matter of urgency.   This emerged at a breakfast meeting organised by the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) that held in Harare on 15…

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ILO-led Zimbabwe Working Initiative promotes social dialogue for economic development

By Byron Mutingwende   The multi-stakeholder social dialogue underpinning the Zimbabwe Report on the Enabling Environment for Sustainable Enterprises (EESE) that is being spearheaded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is set to stimulate economic growth.   In his remarks at the launch of the Zimbabwe Report on EESE, Senator Lovemore Matuke, the Deputy Minister…

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Embracing ICTs critical for economic development

By Michael Mashiri Information Communication Technology (ICT) plays a crucial role in all sectors of the economy and helps in the accomplishment of the three pillars of sustainable development goals, the Representative for Southern Africa, International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has said. Speaking at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) yesterday at a programme with the…

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