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Minister Nyoni

Thandeka Moyo Bulawayo Bureau
Women must take part in Government initiatives crafted to improve their livelihoods and stop depending on men financially, a Cabinet Minister has said. Speaking during a chicken-rearing training programme for Nkayi women courtesy of First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe, Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni said it was time women stopped unnecessarily depending on men.

Dr Mugabe, who is also the ruling party’s Women’s League secretary, will give out 3 000 chicks per province to women. “We are gathered here to train women for Dr Mugabe’s poultry project,” said Minister Nyoni.

“We are now past that time when women could hide behind the fact that things are tough; they need to rise and embrace the project and fend for their families. Women are also showcasing their cooking skills for the food fair competition and we are grateful that Nkayi women have shown us that they are willing to learn and take up Government initiatives crafted to empower them.”

Minister Nyoni urged women to do their best in implementing the project, as it was Dr Mugabe’s dream to see every Zimbabwean woman empowered. Zanu-PF Women’s League secretary for economic affairs Cde Donnie Sibanda urged women to take the lessons seriously. “We are grateful that we have a mother, Dr Grace Mugabe, who wants women to be empowered,” she said.

“We are past that era where women have to rely on men; with this project, they can help their spouses pay school fees and furnish their kitchens.” Irvine’s Breeders have partnered the First Lady to roll-out the chicken project countrywide. The programme also covers capacity building and training programmes. Irvine’s company representative Mrs Sisa Mpofu implored beneficiaries to adhere to strict hygiene and rearing standards to register high survival rates of the chickens.