Zimbabwe: State Embarks on Women Empowerment Programme

September 17, 2007 – (AllAfrica) Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Cde Oppah Muchinguri last week said Government had embarked on a massive project to empower and promote women for sustainable development through self-help projects.

Speaking at the Nestle Zimbabwe Maggi cooking competition finals in Harare, Cde Muchinguri said this was being done through various community development and poverty alleviation initiatives.

"The Government, through my ministry, is on a serious campaign to empower women for sustainable development. My ministry has also embarked on a food processing programme," Cde Muchinguri said.

Government, she said, had also established a revolving fund for women's clubs through the National Federation of Grassroots Women's Clubs aimed at empowering women to alleviate poverty.

She urged women to approach the federation and access the funds. There are over 5 000 women's clubs in the country, which provide opportunities for women to develop their potential through the acquisition of life skills.

Cde Muchinguri applauded Nestle Zimbabwe for launching the Maggi cooking competition, which complements Government's efforts to uplift the living standards of women. The competition was launched two months ago in various rural areas and seeks to promote hygiene, creativity and cooking skills among women.

The minister also called on other companies to emulate Nestle Zimbabwe and come up with similar initiatives. About 30 contestants drawn from all the country's 10 provinces took part in the competition.

From:http://allafrica.com/stories/200709170244.html