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Fungai Lupande Mashonaland Central Bureau
THIRTY-THREE women from Mashambanhaka Village in Bindura South graduated on Friday from Street Business School Training after completing their six-month courses in skills development, business management and entrepreneurship.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Monica Mavhunga said women empowerment is in line with Vision 2030 of achieving an upper-middle-income economy.

She said the National Development Strategy 1 is making sure that no one and no place is left behind.

Senator Mavhunga who was represented by provincial economist Mr Levy Katambarare said women make 52 percent of the population and their involvement in economic activities is key to the development of the country.

The women were supported by Talia Women’s Network.

“These types of training have a history of ending generational poverty through empowering women to become entrepreneurs,” she said.

“To the graduates, we are here to celebrate with you your new beginning. We encourage you to use your newly acquired skills for the benefit of your families, community and country at large.

“I expect you to grow into large companies capable of exporting goods and services.”

Senator Mavhunga said the strengthening and capacity development of rural women is critical for the development of the country.

“This ceremony heralds a fresh batch of graduates who will return to their homes with renewed hope and armed with new skills to benefit the province as a whole,” said Senator Mavhunga.

Speaking at the same occasion, Women University in Africa vice-chancellor Professor Sunungurai Dominica Chingarande said the graduation ceremony comes barely a week before the 16 days against Gender-Based Violence.

“Some of you are wondering why I am talking about violence against women (VAWG) and girls at a graduation ceremony. This is because VAWG is in close and complex connection to women’s economic empowerment,” she said.

“VAWG is a barrier to women’s economic empowerment. Women and girls experience violence many endure physical, psychological and financial harm which impacts their businesses.

“On the other hand, the high level of VAWG is linked to lack of economic empowerment. We applaud Talia Women’s Network for the economic empowerment initiative which directly and indirectly helps reduce VAWG in our communities.”

Explaining the Street Business School, Talia Women’s Network director Mrs Saliwe Mutetwa-Zakariya said they started working with women in Mashambanhaka three years ago.

“Our objective is to uplift their livelihoods and enable them to be independent, fend for their families and change their own lives,” she said.

“We partnered with a Street Business School organization based in Uganda. We are using a curriculum used in East Africa and Southern Africa. The course looks at business management, financial literacy, record keeping and market research.

“These women went through one-on-one coaching before writing their tests. We visited their homesteads one by one looking at their individual projects and helping them improve their revenue and increase access to markets.”
One of the graduates Mrs Rosemary Mugambiwa said it was not an easy road but she is grateful for the skills she acquired and support from Talia Women’s Network.