Latest news with #EmmersonMnangagwa
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Zimbabwe projects massive rebound in maize output to ease food insecurity
Addressing a post-cabinet media briefing on Tuesday in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere said the southern African country is expecting maize output to rebound to 2,928,206 metric tons this year, up from last year's 635,000 metric tons, thanks to improved rainfall. Maize is a major crop in Zimbabwe, which has an annual grain requirement of about 2.2 million metric tons. The minister said that resources will continue to be provided to the Grain Marketing Board, the country's leading grain trading and marketing entity, to facilitate payments for grain deliveries by farmers. Last year, Zimbabwe was hit by one of the worst El Nino-induced droughts in decades, which cut cereal production by 77 percent and left 60 percent of the country's population food insecure, according to the government. In April last year, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster over the drought and appealed for more than three billion U.S. dollars to respond to the drought crisis. With a recovering agricultural industry in sight, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Program have recently removed Zimbabwe from their hunger hotspots list. ■ © Copyright The Zimbabwean. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
United Nations (UN) Women Executive Board lauds progressive gender equality and women's empowerment work in Zimbabwe
UN Women Executive Board's visit to Zimbabwe from 4-10 May 2025 marked a pivotal moment in the country's ongoing efforts to advance gender equality and women's empowerment. The visit, led by H.E. Ms. Nicola Clase, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations and President of the UN Women Executive Board, provided an opportunity to showcase the impact of UN Women's programming in the country while strengthening strategic partnerships with key stakeholders. "I note the strong legal frameworks for gender equality and women's empowerment,'acknowledged Ambassador Nicola Clase, President of the UN Women Executive Board. 'We encourage the government and partners to focus on the effective implementation of these laws.' High-Level Engagements Throughout the week, the delegation engaged with government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, the private sector, and women's rights organizations to deepen collaboration and assess progress on gender-responsive policies and initiatives. In a productive meeting with the country's president , H.E Emmerson Mnangagwa, there was reaffirmation of Zimbabwe's commitment to gender equality. "We believe gender equality is not only a fundamental right, but also a necessity for national growth. Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering women and girls,' assured President Mnangagwa. The delegation also met Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, and Small and Medium Enterprises Development. She highlighted the government's ongoing initiatives saying,"Zimbabwe has made significant strides in advancing women's rights, and will continue to strengthen policies that ensure women's full participation in economic and social development." Jacob Francis Mudenda, Speaker of Parliament, emphasized the importance of inclusive governance. "Ensuring women's full participation in governance and business will drive Zimbabwe forward into a more inclusive future," he said. Field Visits Showcasing Impact The Executive Board members visited Umzingwane Safe Market, Epworth Safe Market, Maker Space Innovation Hub, and the Knowledge Hub at Rosaria Memorial Trust where the team saw the impact of innovative approaches to supporting women's economic empowerment and safety in informal marketplaces. These engagements demonstrated UN Women's commitment to creating sustainable opportunities for women, improving livelihoods, and fostering gender-responsive practices. Speaking about her transformation as a clothing trader in the market, Sarah Muchengeti had this to say, "The biggest challenge before the Epworth Safe Market was finding a secure and reliable place to work. This initiative gave me a proper workspace, where I can now take larger orders and grow my operation. My vision has changed—I am no longer just working to survive; I am building a legacy. My family now sees me as a successful businesswoman, and my children are inspired by what I have accomplished." Reflections from the Region and Country The visit by the board was a proud moment for the UN Women Zimbabwe team, whose extensive preparations ensured a seamless and impactful experience. Anna Mutavati, Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, emphasized the significance of the engagement, "This visit reinforced the importance of partnerships in driving change. It is inspiring to see the Executive Board acknowledge the progress we've made in Zimbabwe." Fatou Lo, UN Women Zimbabwe Country Representative, who spearheaded the visit, highlighted the collaborative effort involved, "This was a collective achievement, the dedication of our teams and partners made it possible to showcase our work and deepen strategic discussions on gender equality.' Lovenes Makonense, Deputy Country Representative, reflecting on the experience, said, 'Being able to present the tangible impact of our work was incredibly rewarding. The enthusiasm from stakeholders reaffirmed our mission to empower women across all sectors." Looking Ahead As the Executive Board concluded its visit, the momentum gained from these discussions will continue to shape UN Women's programming in Zimbabwe. The visit amplified the power of collaboration and the need for sustained investment in gender equality initiatives. UN Women Zimbabwe remains deeply appreciative of all partners, stakeholders, and government officials who contributed to the success of this visit. As the team reflects on the week-long engagements, one message remains clear: the commitment to empowering women in Zimbabwe is stronger than ever. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Zimbabwe projects massive rebound in maize output to ease food insecurity
HARARE, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe has forecast a massive rebound in maize production this year, hoping to alleviate the country's food insecurity caused by a severe drought last year. Addressing a post-cabinet media briefing on Tuesday in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere said the southern African country is expecting maize output to rebound to 2,928,206 metric tons this year, up from last year's 635,000 metric tons, thanks to improved rainfall. Maize is a major crop in Zimbabwe, which has an annual grain requirement of about 2.2 million metric tons. The minister said that resources will continue to be provided to the Grain Marketing Board, the country's leading grain trading and marketing entity, to facilitate payments for grain deliveries by farmers. Last year, Zimbabwe was hit by one of the worst El Nino-induced droughts in decades, which cut cereal production by 77 percent and left 60 percent of the country's population food insecure, according to the government. In April last year, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster over the drought and appealed for more than three billion U.S. dollars to respond to the drought crisis. With a recovering agricultural industry in sight, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Program have recently removed Zimbabwe from their hunger hotspots list.
The Star
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Zimbabwe boosts gold reserves to 3.4 metric tons to support ZiG currency
HARARE, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe is steadily building its gold reserves to support the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency introduced in April last year, with reserves now standing at 3.4 metric tons, the Presidential Communications Department said Thursday. In a post on X, the department said President Emmerson Mnangagwa toured the gold vaults of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) on Thursday. The RBZ plans to increase national gold reserves to 5 metric tons by the end of this year. In his address to the media after the inspection, Mnangagwa said the reserves are critical, serving as one of the key fundamentals needed for a stable national currency. RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu said the current gold reserves held by the central bank are more than sufficient to back the ZiG in circulation. He said the ongoing stability of the local currency is a result of rising reserves and sound fiscal policies. The ZiG, launched last April as Zimbabwe's latest attempt at currency reform, has remained largely stable in recent months due to the central bank's tight monetary policy stance. On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund praised Zimbabwe's macroeconomic stability, noting that the country's disciplined policies have helped stabilize the ZiG and reduce inflation.
Zawya
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Zimbabwe Court Strikes Down Provisions of Repressive Law
On Wednesday, a High Court in Zimbabwe struck down provisions of the country's Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, commonly referred to as the 'Patriotic Act,' as unconstitutional. The Patriotic Act, which President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed into law in July 2023, contains overly broad provisions that make the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association a criminal offense. The act created the crime of 'willfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe,' which effectively criminalizes Zimbabwean civil society groups and human rights defenders who criticize the government at international forums and prohibits them from seeking external avenues for accountability for rights violations. In its ruling, the court stated that the drastic penalties prescribed under section 22A(3) of the act, which include life imprisonment, the death penalty, termination of citizenship, and suspensions from voting and holding public office, infringed on various sections of the Zimbabwean Constitution. Media Alliance of Zimbabwe and Zenzele Ndebele, a private citizen, who brought the case before the court, argued that section 22A(3) and other provisions had high potential for abuse and misuse. They contended that the sections had the effect of silencing dissenting voices and were therefore unfair, unnecessary, and unreasonable in a democratic society. They also said that the law did not sufficiently define what constituted 'willfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe.' When President Mnangagwa signed the bill into law, domestic and international human rights and civil society organizations, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, and Human Rights Watch, expressed concern that the law would further threaten and erode freedoms of expression and association in the country. Several other groups signed a statement calling for the repeal of the law, stating that it carried provisions 'not necessary or justifiable in a democratic society.' While striking down sections of the law as unconstitutional is a positive step, the Zimbabwe government should repeal the draconian Patriotic Act altogether, as it contains overly broad and vaguely defined provisions, such as those criminalizing participation in meetings 'with the intention of promoting calls for economic sanctions against the country.' Such provisions amount to serious violations of the fundamental human rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association protected under international human rights law. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).
