The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, launched the Mudzimayi Wanhasi Empowerment Hub in Seke District yesterday as Zimbabwe marked the International Day of Rural Women.
The event, held at Murape Primary School in Mashonaland East Province, ran under the theme “Rural Women Rising – Shaping Resilient Futures with Beijing+30.” It celebrated the contribution of rural women to agricultural growth, food security, and community development.
In her keynote address, Senator Mutsvangwa said the day was an opportunity to recognise women who “cultivate the land, nurture families, preserve traditions, and contribute immensely to food security and national development.
“Yet, they often remain on the margins of progress, facing barriers such as limited access to education, digital skills, markets, and financial resources,” she said
Minister Mutsvangwa said rural women formed the foundation of the nation’s economy and must be placed at the centre of national transformation.
“In Zimbabwe, women constitute 52 percent of the population, and over 80 percent are in rural areas where they contribute 70 percent of agricultural labour.
We are committed to ensuring that they benefit from the opportunities brought by technological advancement,” she added
Announcing the launch of the Mudzimayi Wanhasi Empowerment Hub, the Minister said the initiative, developed in partnership with the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe and supported by the French Embassy, would “equip rural women with the digital skills needed to succeed in today’s economy.”
“This Hub will act as a space where women can access training in digital literacy, online marketing, e-commerce, and mobile banking, empowering them to grow their businesses, reach new markets, and participate more fully in the digital economy,” she explained.
Senator Mutsvangwa expressed appreciation to France’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Paul Bertrand Barets, for supporting the project.
“By embracing digital tools and innovation, we can strengthen women’s economic independence, enhance community development, and ensure that no woman is left behind in this rapidly evolving digital era,” she said.
She added that the Empowerment Hub would also promote climate-smart agriculture by providing access to weather updates, market information, and farming technologies to help women make informed decisions.
“When rural women thrive, families prosper, communities flourish, and the nation advances,” said Senator Mutsvangwa.
She concluded by officially launching the International Day of Rural Women and the Mudzimayi Wanhasi Empowerment Hub.
