LOCAL INSIGHTS MINISTRY OF WOMEN NEWS Empowering the Nation: How Zimbabwe's Ministry for Women, Community & SME Development is

Harare, Zimbabwe – As June ended, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MWACS/MED) marked a month filled with milestones, dialogue, and leadership both on national and regional platforms.

From gender policy preparation for SADC, to international SME outreach, to grassroots empowerment across Zimbabwe, the Ministry's June initiatives reveal a clear trajectory: empower women, elevate communities, grow the economy.

SADC Engagement: A Regional Voice for Zimbabwean Women

From 24–27 June, Harare played host to the SADC Senior Officials Meeting on Gender and Women’s Affairs, a high-level event bringing together decision-makers from across the Southern African region.

At the heart of these discussions was the upcoming SADC Ministerial Meeting, where policies focused on advancing women’s rights, economic inclusion, and gender equity are shaped.

Hon. Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, representing Zimbabwe’s interests, led from the front. She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to creating inclusive economic opportunities for women, particularly through financial access, SME support, and legal protections. In her opening address, she stated:

Driving Real Impact

“The future we envision is one where women are not just participants, but leaders in community and enterprise development.

Our agenda is bold because the time for transformative action is now.”

This engagement underscores Zimbabwe’s influence in shaping regional gender discourse and its dedication to integrating local success models into continental policy.

Diplomacy Meets Enterprise: Zimbabwean SMEs Visit China . Earlier in the month, Minister Mutsvangwa led a delegation of Zimbabwean small business leaders to the People’s Republic of China.

The goal? To forge bilateral economic ties that expand market access for Zimbabwean-made products, enhance knowledge sharing -

In SME incubation and introduce digital commerce tools to women entrepreneurs back home.

The delegation toured several manufacturing hubs, technology parks, and enterprise accelerators, engaging with potential partners keen to invest in Zimbabwe’s human capital and local goods.

Minister Mutsvangwa emphasized the need to "prepare Zimbabwean SMEs to compete globally while preserving local identity and value chains.“

This diplomatic mission signals the Ministry’s growing commitment to globalizing local talent, bringing the world to Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe to the world.

Community Spotlight: Partnerships for Progress

June also shone a light on the Ministry’s powerful partnerships.

Through its collaborations with UN Women and the International Labour Organization (ILO), MWACS/MED has been rolling out training, mentorship, and microfinance support specifically tailored to women in underrepresented sectors.

These programs focus on:

•Financial literacy and access to low-interest loans

•Business registration support

•Legal aid for women in informal sectors

•Leadership coaching for women-led cooperatives.

The Ministry has positioned itself as a hub for multi-sectoral collaboration, working with civic groups, donors, and private companies to align impact with national development goals.

Beyond the Boardroom: Reaching the People

While international and regional engagements made headlines, the Ministry didn’t lose sight of the grassroots

On its Facebook page, which now boasts over 6,500 followers, it highlighted community-based activities such as:

•Town Hall Sessions in Chitungwiza, where men and women gathered to discuss shared leadership and social cohesion.

•Progress Reports on SME Grant Recipients, showing real stories of growth from food vendors expanding into retail outlets to farmers using funding to access irrigation equipment.

•Youth Spotlight Features, empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs through storytelling, recognition, and exposure.

What’s Next: Digital, Decentralized, Determined

Looking ahead, the Ministry is preparing for a Digital Literacy Bootcamp for Women Entrepreneurs in Bulawayo and a National SME Compliance Training Week in July.

These programs are designed to close digital gaps, teach formalisation strategies, and elevate women-led businesses to professional, investor-ready standards.

Conclusion: A Ministry in Motion The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development is not just reacting to societal needs; it is anticipating them.

Whether through global outreach, local engagement, or regional diplomacy, MWACS/MED is demonstrating that when women rise, communities thrive, and when communities thrive, a nation prospers.

“We don’t just develop policies, we build futures.”

MWACS/MED Official Statement

[By Herzel Mushayabasa] | July 2025 Edition