UNITED Nations assistant secretary-general and UN Women deputy executive director for Normative Support, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, has reiterated the global body’s commitment to working with Zimbabwe to advance women’s empowerment, gender equality and protection of the rights of women and girls through international and multilateral platforms.
The remarks underscore the United Nations’ renewed engagement with Zimbabwe as it seeks to align its foreign affairs, trade and development agenda with global efforts to advance gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and inclusive growth under multilateral frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Responding yesterday to questions on how UN Women can support Zimbabwe’s foreign affairs and international trade agenda, Gumbonzvanda highlighted the importance of gender-responsive diplomacy and trade policy, particularly initiatives that expand women’s access to global markets.
She cited Zimbabwe’s advocacy for women’s economic empowerment through international trade frameworks such as the Next She Exporter Incubation Programme, a transformative initiative aimed at helping women-owned businesses access international markets. The programme is spearheaded by Zimbabwe’s trade development and promotion organisation.
Gumbonzvanda said enabling women to earn income, secure livelihoods and access markets was central to achieving meaningful gender equality.
She said Zimbabwean products were demonstrating how trade could be used to promote empowerment globally.
“Whether it’s the Zimbabwean blueberries I saw in Senegal, the United States, Singapore or emerging products like Mapfura wine, which is being produced here in Zimbabwe, it’s about trading what we have and ensuring women benefit from those opportunities,” the UN official said.
Gumbonzvanda also stressed the importance of women’s participation in peace-building processes at all levels, noting that this aligns with the 50-50 gender equality commitment under SDGs.
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“Women must be part of peace committees locally, nationally and globally,” she said.
Gumbonzvanda further emphasised the need to empower girls and women to recognise that poverty is not permanent and that circumstances can change with access to opportunity.
“What we need are strong families, strong communities that do not normalise abuse and strong institutions that deliver education, healthcare and employment and marriage should never be viewed as an escape from poverty but as a choice rooted in love and dignity,” she said.
“UN Women has a powerful mandate for equality for girls and boys while empowering girls. Zimbabwe’s leadership, both at home and on the global stage, is essential to advancing peace, human rights and development for all.”
