Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has underscored that genuine leadership must be guided by purpose rather than the mere pursuit of power, in a message delivered at the launch of the Women’s Empowerment Fund at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC).
Chiwenga, who is widely perceived to be a central figure in ZANU PF’s succession debate, told party members and government officials that transparency and accountability were indispensable to meaningful leadership. His remarks, made while inviting President Emmerson Mnangagwa — the guest of honour at the ceremony — to address the gathering, were received with keen interest given the political undertones of Zimbabwe’s current leadership landscape.
“Leadership is not about the authority one holds but about the clarity of purpose and the ability to serve with honesty,” Chiwenga said, adding that the integrity of leaders is measured by their commitment to improving the lives of citizens rather than personal ambition.
The event, attended by senior government officials, women leaders, and development partners, highlighted government’s increasing focus on gender equality as a catalyst for socio-economic progress.
President Mnangagwa, in his keynote address, commended Zimbabwean women for their resilience in the face of mounting challenges, including the persistent economic crisis, climate-induced hardships, and the continuing burden of Western-imposed sanctions. He said women had remained steadfast pillars of families and communities, often carrying the heaviest burdens yet showing remarkable strength and innovation in sustaining livelihoods.
Chiwenga Stresses Purpose Over Power as Women’s Empowerment Fund is Launched
“The resilience of our women is an inspiration to the entire nation,” Mnangagwa said. “Despite illegal sanctions, despite droughts, despite global economic headwinds, our women continue to stand firm. Their strength reminds us that any vision for national development is incomplete without the active participation of women.”
The President explained that the Women’s Empowerment Fund is not only a financial mechanism but part of a wider vision to transform the economic and social landscape. The fund aims to provide women with access to affordable credit, skills development programmes, and platforms to establish sustainable businesses, particularly in agriculture, small-scale mining, retail, and manufacturing.
According to Mnangagwa, women are at the heart of household transformation. Supporting them, he said, meant fostering resilience across communities and, by extension, driving national development. “When women are empowered, families are stronger, communities are more resilient, and the nation prospers,” he emphasised.
The Women’s Empowerment Fund forms part of the Second Republic’s broader development strategy, which seeks to achieve an inclusive economy under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). The government has repeatedly highlighted women as key players in realising Vision 2030, which targets an upper-middle-income economy within the next five years.
Chiwenga, in his remarks, reinforced this vision by calling for greater transparency in the management of the fund to ensure its intended beneficiaries are not sidelined. He cautioned against corruption and nepotism in the allocation process, stressing that women across all provinces and socio-economic classes should have equal access.
“This fund must serve every deserving woman, from rural farmers to urban entrepreneurs,” Chiwenga said. “It must not be captured by the few but must reflect the government’s promise of inclusivity.”
Observers note that the launch of the Women’s Empowerment Fund also carries political weight. Chiwenga’s remarks about purpose and transparency have been interpreted by some analysts as part of the subtle messaging in ZANU PF’s internal succession dynamics, where loyalty, service delivery, and integrity are increasingly being tested.
Beyond politics, however, women’s groups and civic organisations welcomed the initiative as a step in the right direction, while also urging authorities to follow through with clear monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Many highlighted that previous empowerment schemes had often fallen short due to poor implementation and limited access for grassroots communities.
At the HICC event, women from different sectors — including agriculture, health, and small-scale industry — expressed optimism that the fund would open new opportunities for growth. “This initiative gives us hope,” said one participant, a cooperative leader from Mashonaland Central. “We want to grow our projects, but access to capital has always been a challenge. If this fund truly reaches us, it will change many lives.”
The Women’s Empowerment Fund will be rolled out through provincial structures in collaboration with local authorities and women’s organisations. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises will oversee its administration, working with financial institutions to ensure accountability.
In closing, both Chiwenga and Mnangagwa reiterated their administration’s commitment to women’s empowerment as an integral part of building a sustainable and prosperous Zimbabwe. “Let us remember that our strength as a nation is tied to the strength of our women,” Mnangagwa declared.
The launch marked not only the beginning of a financial programme but also a renewed call for Zimbabwe to harness the full potential of its women, whose resilience continues to be a cornerstone of the country’s survival and progress.
Source- Byo
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