During the UN Women Executive Board's recent official visit to Zimbabwe, President E.D. Mnangagwa told the Board President, Ambassador Nicola Clase of Sweden: "We believe that gender equality is not only a fundamental right, but also a necessity for national growth."
Under the leadership of Ambassador Clase, the Executive Board's five-day visit, from 5 to 9 May 2025, sought to highlight the successes of UN Women programmes, address emerging challenges in the global fight for gender equality, and strengthen collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe and local partners. "I note the strong legal frameworks for gender equality and women's empowerment," stated Ambassador Clase. "We urge the government to focus on the effective implementation of these laws."
Reaffirming his administration's dedication to integrating gender equality across all sectors of national development, President Mnangagwa added: "Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering women and girls."
As part of the visit, the Executive Board travelled to several UN Women-supported community initiatives designed to economically uplift women, engaging with entrepreneurs and witnessing the impact of technological innovation firsthand.
In Epworth and Umzingwane, the delegation explored marketplaces built under the EU-funded Global Spotlight Initiative Programme, which provide safer environments and child-friendly spaces to support women in business. In Bulawayo, they visited the Maker Space hub, a centre for advanced textile technology that enables women-led businesses to improve the efficiency of their production and the quality of their products.
In Murehwa, Board members saw the Dura reruZivo-Ulwazi Feminist Knowledge Hub and the African Girls Can Code Initiative at work. There, young women shared powerful testimonies: "Digital skills are a gateway to independence and opportunity for women in rural Zimbabwe," stated one participant.
The Board attended high-level meetings with government officials, including Amon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development; and Jacob Francis Mudenda, Speaker of Parliament, discussing strategies to enhance policies supporting women's economic empowerment. As Speaker Mudenda emphasized, "Ensuring women's full participation in governance and business will drive Zimbabwe forward into a more inclusive future."
The Executive Board also engaged with women-led civil society organizations and private sector leaders, discussing gender-responsive entrepreneurship and access to the digital economy. A representative from a women's rights organization noted: "While significant progress has been made, ongoing support and policy reform are crucial in breaking structural barriers that hinder women's full economic participation."
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to scale successful initiatives and deepen partnerships, ensuring gender equality remains a key driver of Zimbabwe's national development strategy. The Executive Board pledged continued support for Zimbabwe's efforts to build a more inclusive and resilient future for women and girls.
