INTEGRATING decent work and the rural economy is an ongoing process and should involve stakeholders, International Labour Organisation (ILO) country director for Zimbabwe and Namibia, Hopolang Phororo, has said.
BY VICTORIA MTOMBA
In an interview on the sidelines of a workshop running under the theme “Rural economy knowledge sharing forum” at a hotel in the capital yesterday, Phororo said ILO had been working with the rural economy under the Joint Programme for Gender Equality and also on youth employment projects.
“The integration of the rural economy and decent work is an ongoing journey. There are many facets in the rural economy like what is it that women can do and there are issues of productivity and infrastructure. I cannot say we have incorporated all the other aspects, but it is work in progress.”
She said the ILO has begun the project in five districts, which include Gutu, Chivi, Nyanga, Mutoko and Murehwa, adding that in all the areas, they have 60 women participating in each of the projects.
The projects are in horticulture, poultry and agriculture.
“The impact can only be talked about when the impact assessment has been done. There are some things that we are noting. There were women who were in poverty, but they are now earning an income through the projects and helping their families. Participants also now have confidence to speak for themselves and there has been a decline in gender-based violence,” Phororo said.
At least 10 000 jobs have been created through the projects, although when the programme started, women were not involved.
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Addressing delegates at the meeting, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare permanent secretary Ngoni Masoka said the undertaking to tackle rural poverty has always been the country’s priority and there have been reviews on the approach to challenges in order to exploit the present opportunities.
Over 70% of the country’s population resides in the rural areas and they are mostly into agriculture production, which provides most of the raw materials for the manufacturing sector.
