The Smallholder Agriculture Cluster Project is hosting the national validation workshop of the National Gender Wellness Strategy in the agriculture sector, a culmination of consultations held at district and provincial level. The Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development, supported by the project procured a consultant, Professor Sunungurai Chingarande who carried out district level consultations in Binga, Lupane, Nkayi, Hwange, Kwekwe, Chirumhanzu, Goromonzi, Mutoko, Murehwa, Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe, Shamva, Mt Darwin, Rushinga, Muzarabani, Zvimba, Chegutu and Mhondoro Ngezi.
Speaking at the consultations, the Director responsible for Gender, Wellness and Inclusivity in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Jairos Mandizadza said the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development has a critical responsibility in advancing Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation, food and nutrition security, climate resilience, rural development, employment creation and economic growth.
He noted that the Ministry could not achieve this feat, while excluding certain groups behind. He said, “We cannot achieve these objectives fully if we leave certain groups behind. Women, men, young people, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable and marginalised groups must have meaningful opportunities to participate in, benefit from and contribute to agricultural development.
Similarly, we cannot expect our workforce to deliver effectively if issues affecting their physical health, mental wellbeing, occupational safety, workplace relationships, substance abuse, stress and overall wellness are not adequately addressed.
Mr Mandizadza noted that Gender Mainstreaming, Inclusivity and Wellness must be understood not as peripheral activities, but as strategic enablers of institutional performance and agricultural transformation. The strategy, he said, represents an important step towards institutionalising these principles across the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development.
