TAKE WOMEN’S EDUCATION SERIOUSLY

May 27, 2005 (The Herald) Women's contribution to Zimbabwe's development can be strengthened by education and training, Vice President Joice Mujuru has said.

She was speaking at the launch of the strategic plan for the year 2004 to 2008 for the Women's University in Africa (WUA) in Harare yesterday.

The Vice President said it was important that the Government and other stakeholders took women's education seriously, particularly now when the country was undergoing a gender revolution.

The launch was also attended by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Stan Mudenge, his deputy Dr Sikhanyiso Ndhlovu, the Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, Cde Aeneas Chigwedere, WUA Patron Dr Fay Chung, WUA Chancellor Professor Lydia Makhubu and Acting Vice Chancellor Dr Hope Sadza.

Cde Mujuru said women had always played an important role in the country from the time of the liberation struggle to date, thus they deserved support.

"Women's help in the liberation struggle was essential for success. They were able to carry arms of war, work as political commissars, teachers and medical officers in the war zones because while Rhodesian forces were suspicious of men's movements, they never suspected women of such activities.

"In today's continuation of the liberation struggle, women continue to play a critically important role. They are farmers, medical officers, industry workers and politicians.

"Education and training can only enhance their contribution to society," she said.

Cde Mujuru, who is also studying for a management and entrepreneurial development degree with WUA, said she was thrilled when she first heard about the university, which was being established by women academics and professionals in the business and banking sectors.
She had to abandon her studies after Form Two to join the liberation struggle.

"There are many women like me who always wanted a university education, but because of other commitments, social and political, have failed. The university, therefore, presented me with a chance to make my dream a reality and today I am hopeful that despite the pressure I now face once more due to my duties, which has resulted in me missing some of my classes, I will graduate together with other pioneers on June 30," she said.

WUA's first crop of students since inception in 2002 is set to graduate on June 30.

Cde Mujuru said she was happy that the democratisation of education was one of the most important achievements of the ruling Zanu-PF party.

The colonial regime, she said, never took the education of the black person seriously, especially women.

"That is why at Independence, we had 80 000 black people who had been allowed to go to secondary school and only 14 000 university graduates, most of them educated in neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho and Tanzania," she said.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200505270507.html