Pres Mnangagwa Meets UN Women Executive Board President During Official Visit to Zimbabwe

• The UN Women Executive Board embarked on an official visit to Zimbabwe
• President E.D. Mnangagwa hosted Ambassador Nicola Clase of Sweden, President of the UN Women Executive Board
• The meeting highlighted Zimbabwe's dedication to gender equality and women's empowerment

While the UN Women Executive Board made their official visit to Zimbabwe, President E.D. Mnangagwa received Board President Ambassador Nicola Clase of Sweden. Mnangagwa in their conversation highlighted the place of Zimbabwe regarding gender equality by saying, "We believe that gender equality is not only a fundamental right, but also a necessity for national growth."

The five-day visit, held from 5 to 9 May under Ambassador Clase’s leadership, aimed to spotlight the successes of UN Women’s programmes, identify ongoing challenges in the fight for gender equality, and enhance collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe and local stakeholders. Ambassador Clase commended Zimbabwe’s legal framework for supporting gender equality and women’s empowerment, while encouraging stronger implementation of these laws.

Mnangagwa reasserted his government's commitment to inserting gender equality into all spheres of national development, asserting that "Zimbabwe remains committed to empowering women and girls."

Part of the agenda involved a visit to various community projects supported by UN Women towards empowering women economically. These visits included interactions with UN Women-supported female entrepreneurs and displays of locally-driven local entrepreneurship fueled by technology.

In Epworth and Umzingwane, Board members visited market places developed under the EU-funded Global Spotlight Initiative that offer safer surroundings and child-friendly facilities to accommodate women in trade. In Bulawayo, they went to the Maker Space hub, where high-tech textile technology is enabling women-owned enterprises to improve both productivity and product quality.

The delegation also went to Murehwa, where they saw the Dura reruZivo-Ulwazi Feminist Knowledge Hub and the African Girls Can Code Initiative. Young participants shared their stories, emphasizing how digital literacy is opening up new doors for women in rural communities. One participant commented, "Digital skills are a gateway to independence and opportunity for women in rural Zimbabwe."

Senior-level meetings took place with some government ministers, including Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira; Women Affairs, Community and SMEs Senator Monica Mutsvangwa; and Parliament Speaker Jacob Francis Mudenda. High-level talks centred on planning to build policy support for women's economic contribution. Speaker Mudenda emphasized inclusion, saying, "Ensuring women's full participation in governance and business will drive Zimbabwe forward into a more inclusive future."