Gutu South Member of Parliament and ZANU-PF Chief Whip, Pupurai Togarepi has urged society to prioritise the empowerment of the girl child, saying inclusive development is the foundation of national progress.
Speaking at a women empowerment gathering in his constituency yesterday, Hon. Togarepi said the future of Zimbabwe depends on the opportunities given to women and girls and called for the dismantling of harmful stereotypes that limit their potential.
“The girl child must never be left behind. If you educate, empower and support a girl, you are transforming an entire family and an entire community. Our society must value the contribution of women and ensure that they are given the tools to succeed in business, farming, sport and leadership,” he said.
He emphasised the importance of providing women with practical tools to become self-reliant and economically active.
“These projects are practical solutions to the challenges women face. By giving them skills, resources and opportunities, we are ensuring that they do not just depend on others but can stand tall as providers and leaders,” he said.
Hon. Togarepi also reaffirmed his commitment to expanding women-focused initiatives, aligning with Government’s development agenda.
“The empowerment of women is at the heart of building a prosperous Zimbabwe. When we uplift the girl child, we uplift the entire nation,” he said.
To translate these words into action, Cde Togarepi has implemented several women empowerment programmes in Gutu South. These include the Mabharoni and Kufusha Women Empowerment Schemes, which offer start-up support and training for aspiring women entrepreneurs.
Sewing projects have been introduced to equip women and girls with tailoring skills for producing school uniforms and garments for local markets. Livestock initiatives—such as goat, pig and poultry farming—are also enabling women to establish sustainable income-generating ventures.
In addition, community gardening projects led by women’s groups are contributing to both household food security and income through vegetable sales.
Several beneficiaries of these programmes praised the efforts. One participant in the sewing initiative said she could now support her family financially, describing the project as a “real game-changer”.
Togarepi pledged to continue supporting women and girls through more development-focused interventions in his constituency.
