Zivo-Ulwazi feminist knowledge hub: A new era in w...

Zivo-Ulwazi feminist knowledge hub: A new era in women empowerment

Zim Now Writer

The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development on Thursday launched the Zivo-Ulwazi Feminist Knowledge Hub at the Rosaria Memorial Trust in Murehwa which will serve as a platform for the generation, exchange and dissemination of feminist knowledge through the digital library.

The hub will serve as an information repository for promoting gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and encourage critical dialogue for the realisation of women’s autonomy

Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa said these hubs will go a long way in ensuring that our women and girls have adequate information on issues that affect them.

“Knowledge hubs are crucial as they provide comprehensive and integrated platforms for women to access and share knowledge related to violence against women and girls as well as evidence-based research, best practices, and resources to advance gender equality and promote empowerment.

“Information is key to promoting the empowerment of any society. Women and girls cannot claim their rights if they do not have knowledge of what those rights are.

“They cannot seek protection from abuse if they are not aware of what constitutes abuse. As such this centre stands out as a milestone development in terms of information dissemination in Murehwa and in other areas where they have been established.

“The Government of Zimbabwe remains committed to addressing the problem of gender based violence and harmful practices," she said.

United Nations Women Representative, Fatou Lo highlighted the digital gender gap and the need to scale up similar investments in pursuit of gender equality.

“All stakeholders need to prioritise investments in technologies that advance Gender Equality goals and the empowerment of all women and girls.

“Especially those with limited access to digital infrastructure, digital devices, and digital skills in a world where technology is no longer a luxury but a basic need that should be accessed by all,” she said.

Chief Executive Officer of Rosaria Memorial Trust, Dr Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda said: “The innovation, designed to bridge the digital divide, will promote gender equality, empower communities with Information Communication Technology skills, and respond to gender-based violence.

“The initiative recognises the immense potential of technology in transforming lives and aims to leverage it to address the unique challenges faced by women and girls in rural communities”.

Zivo-Ulwazi Feminist Knowledge Hubs have been established in Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Harare and Bulawayo in which RMT, Institute of Young Women Development, Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Katswe Sisterhood are the implementing partners respectively.

The establishment of the Zivo-Ulwazi Feminist Knowledge Hub at RMT was made possible through the European Union funded Spotlight Initiative being implemented by UN Women.

Spotlight Initiative is a partnership programme between the European Union, Government of Zimbabwe and the United Nations.