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By Marlvin Ngiza
Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister today officially handed over the Epworth Family Support Centre, a development which was described as a milestone in offering comprehensive empowerment initiatives for women, especially survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
In her keynote address during the ceremony, Minister Nyoni thanked and expressed satisfaction in cordial relations between government, civil society organisations and the donor community saying the development was critical in GBV prevention and response programming and in addressing the skills gap that women had.
“Today we are witnessing an important occasion within the gender-based violence prevention and response programming that has been developed through the partnership between government, civil society organisations and the donor community.
The centre will provide comprehensive empowerment initiatives for women especially survivors of gender-based violence. At the onset,allow me to express my deeper gratitude to the Japanese Embassy for providing funding for the construction of this centre and the great work that Katswe Sistahood has done in facilitating the construction of this facility.
Nyoni reiterated the ministry’s commitment to the economic empowerment of women and participation in the country while calling for partners to scale up efforts in assisting through establishing such centres. The major drivers of GBV was women’s lack of access to empowerment opportunities.
“One of the major drivers of GBV is women’s lack of access to empowerment opportunities which predisposes them to abuse by their male partners.
“I want to call our partners to assist us in establishing similar centres across the length and breadth of the country as they are key to the empowerment of women and girls, “she added.
The centre was designed to offer empowerment services in the form of a skills training centre, an exhibition room as well as the arts section, and comprehensive GBV services that include health care, psychosocial support, legal aid and Police Victim Friendly Services.
Two years ago, the ministry officiated the safe market for women entrepreneurs.
The European Union (EU) in Zimbabwe under the Team Europe Initiative on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (TEI – GEWE) acknowledges the remarkable strides made by Zimbabwe towards gender equality and pledged to help to build on progress made through the combined efforts of all of its members.
To achieve this, HE Jobst von Kirchmann, the Ambassador of Europe to Zimbabwe, who is chairing the #HeforShe campaign in the country, highlighted the important role of men in advancing gender equality in Zimbabwe.