AU Hails Zim Women, Youth Empowerment

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

The African Union has commended Zimbabwe for its efforts in empowering women and youth, saying the initiatives are in line with the continent’s Agenda 2063.

The endorsement came from the African Union Chairperson’s Special Advisor, Ms. Chido Cleopatra Mpemba, during her meeting with Acting President, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, at his Munhumutapa offices in Harare yesterday, ahead of the official opening of the 7th Inter-Generational Retreat of the African Women Leaders Network.

“The Government of Zimbabwe is aligning its empowerment programmes with Africa’s Agenda 2063, particularly Aspiration 6, which places youth and women at the centre of development.

"Empowerment must go beyond policy into access — access to technology, funding, and real opportunities that transform lives,” said Ms. Mpemba.

She added, “It is also important that member states implement the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, because safety is the foundation of sustainable empowerment.”

Ms. Mpemba, who is Zimbabwean, is the only woman in the African Union Commission’s Cabinet and the youngest advisor ever appointed to a senior official in its history.

Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, paid a courtesy call on Acting President Chiwenga ahead of the official opening, where she introduced Ms. Mpemba.

The two-day retreat opened today in Harare with Acting President Chiwenga presiding. He was accompanied by Senator Mutsvangwa and Minister of Defence, Dr. Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.

Former Heads of State and Government, as well as former First Ladies from across the continent, are attending the retreat.

They include former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde, former African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former First Lady of Ekiti State Olabisi Oluyemi Adiyele Fayemi, and former Vice President of South Africa Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

AWLN is a flagship initiative jointly established by the African Union and the United Nations to promote women’s participation in leadership, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Agenda 2030.

“This conference will give Zimbabwe a platform to showcase its achievements in supporting the participation of women in leadership and decision-making, which has been demonstrated by constitutional amendments to promote inclusivity, equal rights, and opportunities for women in all spheres,” said Mutsvangwa.