By Patience Gondo
Beitbridge District on Thursday commemorated International Women’s Day with a march and workshop aimed at celebrating women’s achievements and promoting gender equality.
Women from different sectors marched from the Beitbridge District Development Coordinator’s office to the Beitbridge Municipality where the main workshop was held.
Guest of honour Senator Tambudzani Mohadi praised the district for organising the commemorations. She said Zimbabwe has made progress in increasing women’s participation in leadership, although more work still needs to be done.
“About one-third of Members of Parliament are now women. This shows progress in a long journey that we are still travelling. Women’s participation in leadership recognises the strength and potential that women bring to national development,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Beitbridge Rural District Council Kilibone Mbedzi, said women remain the pillars of society and often lead change during difficult times.
She said women played a crucial role during Zimbabwe’s Liberation Struggle. Their contribution, she said, demonstrated courage and resilience.
“If we teach children that girls should only clean while boys handle complex tasks, we are reinforcing the patriarchal system that once limited women,” she said.
Businesswoman Tendai Dzimba ( Mrs Chihwa) said the commemorations should be more than a celebration. She said they must serve as a call to action for women.
Dzimba, who runs a clearing and logistics company and is also involved in real estate, shared her personal journey in business.
“In 2014 we opened a clearing company. Five years later my husband passed away. After the burial on Sunday, a day later I returned to the office because life had to continue,” she said.
She urged women to remain strong during difficult times and step out of their comfort zones.
Founder of Tough Girls and chaplain Rumbidzai Kakora encouraged mothers to strengthen relationships with their daughters and instill values in children.
She warned that many children now spend too much time on social media, weakening family bonds.
“Parents must guide their children and instill values that help them make responsible decisions,” she said.
The commemorations brought together women from government departments, the private sector and community organisations to reflect on progress made in advancing women’s rights in the district.