The European Union (EU) has extended a €209 million (US$220 million) grant to Zimbabwe for women’s empowerment.
According to ZimLive, the grant has been extended to the country through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development.
Women Affairs Minister Sithembiso Nyoni on Monday met with Team Europe Ambassadors to begin policy dialogue under the Team Europe Initiative on Gender.
Team Europe Initiative mobilises financial resources from all European Union member states and Switzerland.
In a joint statement with the EU, Minister Nyoni said the initiative will achieve considerable success in promoting equality for Zimbabwean women and girls. She said:
The Team Europe Initiative on gender equality and women empowerment supports Zimbabwean women towards a society that is free of Gender Based Violence, where women can play an active role in their communities, in politics, and in decision-making processes.
The initiative will also mobilise financial resources to allow them to start their own businesses.
EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst von Kirchman said:
Gender equality is one of the core principles among the European Union’s founding values and is both a priority and a goal for Zimbabwe and the European Union.
The grant is set to support provisions of the national constitution which provides for equal representation of women and men in all positions.
More: Pindula News