The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani News Editor
WOMEN empowerment is paying dividends, starting at grassroots as evidenced by last November’s Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council Advanced Level results where girls performed better than their male counterparts, a Government Minister has said.
In an interview to mark the International Women’s Day Commemorations held on Wednesday, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, who herself is a proud beneficiary of women empowerment, said it was pleasing to note that many people were now appreciating the role of women in the society.
“As women, we are excited that our voices are now being heard everywhere. The empowerment gospel has cascaded to the grassroots and the girl-child now understands that she has a role to play in society and can perform better than her male counterpart.
“Girls did us proud as women when they outsmarted boys during last year’s November A-Level examinations. This alone shows that they now understand that they can be better performers than boys unlike in the past when boys were viewed as the best thing in a family,” said Cde Chimene.
According to Zimsec statistics, girls scored a 74 percent pass-rate compared to boys’ 68 percent.
Cde Chimene said males should not feel threatened by the empowerment crusade because it was meant to create equal opportunities for everyone.
“We are not out to topple men. This empowerment crusade is just a reminder to everyone that we are equal cadres. I am one of the proud beneficiaries of women empowerment. ZveuGovernor izvi zvaiva zvevarume, but look today Mandi is now the head of Manicaland Province.
“If we fought side-by-side during the liberation struggle, why should some people still harbour the thinking that women are not important in society? We want to thank our country’s leadership for believing in women. By appointing us in positions of authority it is a vote of confidence on us women. Thank you President Mugabe for recognising the potential in us and we want to assure him that we will not disappoint him. We are prepared to deliver in all given assignments,” said Cde Chimene.
She also hailed Government for ensuring that all employees were treated equally regardless of gender since 1980.
“During the colonial era, women employees were earning lesser salaries compared to their male counterparts, but today we have women earning much than their husbands. Women are no longer confirmed to homes as child bearing machines, but are now taking a leading role as breadwinners. In some instances, men are now taking up the role of looking after the children while women will be sweating it out at the workplace.
“However, as women we should not take the empowerment crusade as a tool to abuse spouses.
“We should all play our roles in the home as prescribed by the society,” she said.
Earlier on Cde Chimene had told Diamond FM that by 2030 more women should be empowered on better equality levels.
