Respect Women, Says President Mugabe of Zimbabwe

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe greets Politburo members of the ZANU-PF ruling party on Friday, April 4, 2008.
Originally uploaded by Pan-African News Wire File Photos

Respect women, says President

Herald Reporters

Society should appreciate women’s contribution to community and national development, President Mugabe has said.

In a meeting with a visiting delegation of the All China Women’s Federation at State House yesterday, President Mugabe said women should be economically empowered.

"We always remember that our struggle for our Independence was fought by both young men and women. We also remember that as we waged the war we also got support from the women.

"That is why from day one of Independence, Government undertook measures and improved their lives," he said.

President Mugabe added: "I am glad that through that the education system has seen a situation where there were more girls than boys attending school."

The organisation’s vice president Cde Zhen Yan is leading the delegation.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said women played a very important role in Zimbabwe’s political development.

"In our elections, women play the greatest part followed by the youths. Without them the party will grind to a halt. For the party to be continually viable, there is need to make sure that women are strengthened."

He described oppression of women as retrogressive.

"We treasure our women, we want them not only to be given positions but also the honour and respect they deserve.

"In China, women are given leading roles to contribute to their development. They are not inhibited as in other cultures," he said.

Cde Zhen, who is visiting Zimbabwe for the first time, said, "We have seen a great determination to develop Zimbabwe and the people are quite confident in their country

"Zimbabwean women are great and they have fought side by side with the man and have continued to be active in the production and development of the nation."

Cde Zhen hailed Zanu-PF’s Women’s League for working hard for development.

She said Zimbabwe and China, who are celebrating 30 years of bilateral and economic relations, should further strengthen their ties.

Zanu-PF secretary for women’s affairs Cde Oppah Muchinguri thanked the Chinese for their donation of an assortment of goods.

"We have received various goods including sewing machines, computers, T-shirts and stationery. We are also looking to collaborate in skills especially training in agricultural activities such as drip irrigation."

She said the Women’s League would visit China in September to enhance co-operation.

Speaking after a dinner Senate President Edna Madzongwe hosted in her honour in Harare on Wednesday, Cde Zhen said women from the two countries had much to share in advancing their national economic roles.

"Women play an active role in the economy of any country and our role as women is to identify those areas we can participate in building our economies," she said.

Cde Madzongwe said Zimbabwean women had a lot to learn from their Chinese counterparts.

"Your technology, especially in areas of energy, can help reduce the burden on women in rural areas who have to travel long distances to fetch firewood. We are also interested in knowing how Chinese women got into mining and how they managed to have advanced roles in all sectors," she said.