ZIMBABWE and the European Union have launched an initiative aimed at mobilising EU member states and Switzerland to support gender equality and women empowerment with €209 million over the next five years.
The initiative, code-named Team Europe Initiative on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (TEI-GEWE), is in line with the objectives of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) on women empowerment in Zimbabwe.
It was launched by the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Dr Sithembiso Nyoni and the EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst von Kirchmann this week.
Minister Nyoni said her ministry was happy with the initiative as it will go a long way in empowering women and enhancing gender equality.
“We are delighted to see the EU as a partner in our efforts to strengthen the role of women in our society as set in the NDS1,” she said.
Ambassador von Kirchmann said: “Gender equality is one of the core principles among the European Union founding values and is both a priority and a goal for Zimbabwe and the European Union.”
TEI-GEWE supports Zimbabwean women towards a society which is free of gender based violence, where women can play an active role in their communities, in politics and in decision making processes.
Practically, it mobilises financial resources to allow women to start their own businesses.
The launch of TEI-GEWE marks the beginning of a policy dialogue on gender equality and women empowerment between Zimbabwe and the Team Europe Ambassadors from Sweden, Ireland, The Netherlands, France, Germany and the European Union, joined by Switzerland, who have joined forces under the Team Europe Initiative.
The EU in a statement said the dialogue allowed the partners to exchange and mutually understand their vision and priorities.
“It will take place every three months, in order to make sure that the initiative remains fully aligned with the NDS1,” the EU said.
Team Europe and Switzerland have the ambition to fully operationalise existing constitutional and policy commitments, thus supporting gender equality and women empowerment.
The total financial support for the Team Europe Initiative adds up to more than €209 million and includes all programmes and related activities until 2027.
EU contributed €106 million, Sweden €61.3 million, Switzerland €17 million, Germany €17 million, Ireland €4.5 million, Netherlands €2.5 million and France €1.5 million. – The Herald
