By Joyce Mukucha
The Red Lipstick Revolution, a Zimbabwean movement aimed at economically, spiritually and socially empowering women who can add value and create better lives for themselves, their families, communities and the nation is looking forward to host a Zimbabwe Women Do Dubai 2020 Indaba.
A conference scheduled to be held on the 21st to the 22nd of February 2020 in Dubai will invite women from the diaspora whose intent is to penetrate the international market to be equipped with various technical skills as well as being aided on how to generate business ideas and ensure their transformation from negativity to optimism.
Speaking to the press in Harare on the 4th of January 2020, the Red Lipstick Revolution leader Rev. Dr. Abigail Magwenzi said her organisation was committed to raise an army of ambitious women who can grow, dominate and spearhead the economic turn around of the nation.
She explained that the seminar will open doors for mindset-reprogramming, business opportunities, strategic investment, business linkages, networking platforms and financial solutions.
“The aim of the forthcoming event is to equip a woman for the market place. We felt that as women,we have a primary responsibility of putting food on the table, for our families and ensure that our children get quality education. So we are saying to women who feel that they have got a meaningful role to play in the economy ; those who are starting a business or who want to grow their business; that Zim Women Do Dubai Indaba is the place to be this month. There is going to be a lot of expert speakers form Australia, Japan, Cyprus and from all women scattered all over the world who will be exchanging ideas with other women on how to start, grow and manage their businesses.
“We are building bricks for women here in Zimbabwe and those in the diaspora where everyone will be engaged and benefit more in as much as doing business is concerned. We need to support and encourage each other,” she said.
The Red Lipstick Revolution is also aimed at changing the way women think by training them using the 8Bs Mindset Reprogramming Tool Kit. The 8Bs intends to build a brainy, business-minded, bankable brand, bold, beautiful, blessed and balanced woman.
Dr Magwenzi also challenged women to stand up and do business notwithstanding the hostile economic situation prevailing in the country.
Speaking at the same event, the founder of ARUKA, a non-governmental organisation, Amanda Nyagato pointed out that in Dubai they are looking forward to discuss with other women how best they can bring projects and programmes to cater for the vulnerable and key population groups (KPs) in Zimbabwe.
“As a private sector entity, we are grateful to be partnering with Red Lipstick Revolution in preparing to leave for Dubai and we look forward to have the opportunity to sit down and discuss with other women in diaspora and share with them the problems we have in Zimbabwe so as to proffer possible solutions to our country.
“For instance, we think it is crucial to come up with an initiative of establishing shelter for the strangers who are staying on the streets. Also if we take into consideration the youths and young people who are engaging in drug abuse yet they deserve another chance to live a dignified life. For that to be possible, they need to be in rehabilitation centres but we find out that most of these facilities are expensive. So when we network with other women in the diaspora, it is our hope that together we can formulate ideas that lead to provision of affordable facilities thereby developing a better nation for everyone,” said Nyagato.
The Red Lipstick Revolution was inspired by a book called The Red Lipstick Stays On! You Don’t Have To Look Like What You Are Going Through. which was written by Doctor Rev Abigail Magwenzi.
The book was well received locally and internationally and quickly inspired a following which is now known as The Red Lipstick Revolution. The Revolution officially kicked off in January 2018.
The movement is also geared to facilitate Business trips ,events and participation in Trade Fares and Exhibitions.
It is involved in lending money to women through a special purpose vehicle and it is registered as a Co-operative – Covenant Women Savings and Credit Union to Create a platform for women to pool funds and rotate profits among themselves.