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Walter Nyamukondiwa Mashonaland West Bureau
WOMEN should exploit opportunities being presented by Government through policies that recognise their potential to contribute towards national development, a Government official has said. Speaking during elections to fill positions in Women in Tourism Mashonaland West provincial chapter in Chinhoyi yesterday, the director in the Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Mrs Gladys Chinyerere, said women were capable.

“We have about 73 percent of women employed in the tourism sector and its value chain. Despite the high number, women occupy lower positions,” she said. “Women must rise and compete at the top levels so that we are involved in decision-making. Government is saying women are capable and that is why you see its policies recognise the importance of women.”

This, she said, fits into the African Union Agenda 2063 which advocates for involvement of women in the development of nations.

Mrs Chinyerere said African ministers discussed the need for the creation of a task force for women in tourism and the need to improve employment of women in the sector. Constitution of the provincial women in tourism chapters would feed into the national chapter and subsequently the African task force. Women, she said, should effectively participate in the tourism sector value chain.

Mashonaland West acting provincial administrator Mr Amigo Mhlanga said the establishment of the Women in Tourism structures was a noble initiative to harness the potential in women.

“As a nation we need to create opportunities to unlock women’s potential to exploit both social and economic cycles,” said Mr Mhlanga.

“As Mashonaland West, we are excited about the setting up of these chapters as it seeks to ensure women play a meaningful role in the country’s economy.” The committees, he said, would ensure that the involvement and empowerment of women is done in an organised manner.

Women elected businesswoman and philanthropist Idah Kamushinda as the chairperson of Women in Tourism Mashonaland West provincial chapter.

The committee will spearhead the participation of women in the tourism sector.

Mrs Kamushinda garnered 89 votes while Mrs Linda Sauramba was elected vice chairperson after getting 52 votes.

Other members of the committee include Ms Abigail Gava (secretary), Hope Masomere (vice secretary) and Ms Stancia Zhou (treasurer).

The positions were distributed evenly among all the province’s seven districts.