Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Sibusisiwe Zembe has called upon other line ministries to emulate the launch of the Women in Tourism Association.
Women in Tourism Association has been launched by the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Harare today.
“We are happy to be a part of this important ceremony for the launch of the Women in Tourism Association,” Zembe said. “Indeed this is a land mark initiative which needs to be emulated by other line ministries.”
“We want the Ministries of Energy, Agriculture, Finance, Defence and Home Affairs among others to emulate this initiative which ensures that in their assigned mandates, women’s needs are taken on board.”
The Permanent Secretary also said that the launch of the Women in Tourism Association is implementing what is provided for in the Zimbabwean constitution.
“Allow me to put into perspective today’s important event,” Zembe said. “It is significant to note that our constitution provides for gender equality and women empowerment.”
The Government has insisted that we should live no one behind. Therefore we take this launch as a major step in aligning the provisions of the constitution with policies and programmes which line ministries are obligated to implement. ”
“My Ministry has initiated a number of interventions in an effort to align with constitutional provisions,” Zembe goes on.
Women in Tourism Association launch marks the entry of women into one of the most lucrative sectors according to the Gender Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.
Significantly, today’s ceremony marks the entry of women into one of the most lucrative sectors, tourism.
“Women have traditionally been relegated to agriculture and the conduct of house hold chores” Zembe said.
“Tourism is the sector of the century which has turned around the fortunes of many developing societies. It provides numerous new opportunities which can be exploited by marginalized communities.”
“Following on from this launch we commit ourselves to working with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in exploring previously uncharted territory,” the Permanent Secretary said.
Speaking on a side interview, Principal Director in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Air Commodore I.G. Dumb Dumba who also expects positive results from the launch said that there has been low numbers of women participating in economic activities.
Dumba said that there should be equality in every sector of the economy.
