Zimbabwe and UN Women have agreed to deepen cooperation on gender-responsive diplomacy, international trade and peacebuilding, as Harare positions itself as a regional and global advocate for women’s empowerment through multilateral engagement.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira, on Monday received a courtesy call from the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and UN Women Deputy Executive Director for Normative Support, UN System Coordination and Programme Results, Ms Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, at Munhumutapa Offices in Harare.

The high-level meeting focused on strengthening Zimbabwe’s role in advancing gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and peace through international diplomacy. Both sides stressed the importance of using global platforms to protect the rights of women and girls while promoting peace and development.

Ms Gumbonzvanda said the United Nations remained committed to supporting Zimbabwe’s foreign affairs and international trade agenda, particularly initiatives centred on the empowerment and rights of women and girls. She noted that Zimbabwe’s continued commitment to multilateralism places it among key global advocates for peace, human rights and development.

On gender-responsive trade, Ms Gumbonzvanda highlighted Zimbabwe’s efforts to integrate women into international markets, citing the Next She Exporter Incubation Programme led by ZimTrade, which supports women-owned businesses to access global markets. She said expanding women’s access to income, livelihoods and trade opportunities was critical to achieving meaningful gender equality.

She pointed to Zimbabwean products gaining international visibility as practical examples of trade-driven empowerment.

“Whether it’s Zimbabwean blueberries seen in Senegal, the United States and Singapore, or emerging products like Mapfura wine produced locally, it’s about trading what we have and ensuring women benefit,” she said.

Ms Gumbonzvanda also stressed the importance of domestic resource mobilisation to meet global commitments, including ending violence against women and eliminating harmful practices such as child marriage.

On peace and security, she underscored UN Women’s focus on the Women, Peace and Security agenda under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, noting that Zimbabwe already has a National Action Plan that should be more strongly articulated at national, regional and global levels.

She outlined four priority pillars: conflict prevention; women’s participation in peace negotiations and mediation; long-term post-conflict healing and social cohesion; and Zimbabwe’s continued leadership within SADC and the African Union to promote peace and security on the continent.

“Women must be part of peace committees locally, nationally and globally. This aligns with the 50–50 commitment under the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

Ms Gumbonzvanda also highlighted Zimbabwe’s efforts to align culture with gender equality, citing commitments by traditional leaders that are now being scaled regionally and globally through the Council of Traditional Leaders in Africa. 

She said promoting positive cultural values through diplomacy strengthens both national identity and global commitments.