Fund for rural Businesses commendable

I would like to pay tribute to Dr Strive Masyiwa and Tsitsi Masiyiwa for coming up with fund for rural women women. The Econet boss said the fund which is his own personal money will be disbursed as loans through Steward Bank (a member of the Econet group). The money will support projects by rural entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs willing to focus on rural areas.

By Angeline Mikiri, GZ Times Editor

 According to report by UN Women Rural women are key agents for achieving the transformational economic, environmental and social changes required for sustainable development. But limited access to credit, health care and education are among the many challenges they face, which are further aggravated by the global food and economic crises and climate change.

Empowering them is key not only to the well-being of individuals, families and rural communities, but also to overall economic productivity, given women's large presence in the agricultural workforce worldwide. I would like to pay tribute to Dr Strive Masyiwa and Tsitsi Masiyiwa for coming up with fund for rural women women. The Econet boss said the fund which is our own personal money will be disbursed as loans through Steward Bank (a member of the Econet group).

The money will support projects from rural entrepreneurs or those entrepreneurs willing to focus on rural areas. Women farmers typically have less access to irrigation technology. As an ambassador of change my prayer is to see women getti ng access to knowledge and equipment through these organizations so that they can transform their communities. Research has shown that women are good stewards of money, so why not support them.

UN Women helped ensure that scores of women farmers are able to learn about, acquire and maintain advanced irrigation systems. Climate change has made the flow of local rivers, the traditional source of water, unpredictable. Many men have left their villages for jobs in cities, with women remaining behind to take up farming.

To underscore new ways of thinking, local drama troupes have staged performances demonstrating the value of women's participation in water management. Surveys have shown that local women, with their confidence bolstered by new skills and options, have become increasingly willing to voice their opinions in village affairs.

Capacity building can help these women know their worth and value. It is in this regard that WED Zimbabwe has partnered with Homelink and Great Zimbabwe University to train women on how to run effective business entities and writing business proposals. It is also important to support rural women's and youth self-confidence and capacity to take on leadership roles in local governance: land committees, community development initiatives, producer organizations and participatory communication mechanisms.