Sunday Mail Reporter
Government is drafting a Women’s Council Act, which is expected to lead to the formation of a board that represents all women’s associations.

In her address at the launch of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Women Farmers’ Association Trust in Harare last week Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Dr Olivia Muchena said the Act will harness women’s voices.
“Women are good at starting associations, we have had cases of different small groups coming to our offices saying the same thing but this time around we would like to form one big thing which would maintain the small associations but represent them with one voice,” she said.

Minister Muchena disclosed that the Act is almost ready and women would be advised after completion.
“The Bill is already there and we are now waiting for a stakeholders’ conference which would be held soon,” she said.
She also encouraged farmers’ unions to form an Apex council that will channel their grievances to policymakers.

“As a new farmers’ association you should seek to join hands with the already existing organisations and form an Apex council. You should understand that you are not rivals but fight for one goal,” she said.

ZIWFAT president Mrs Dapinah Nkomo said the organisation started with a group of women who used to meet at GMB Aspindale while waiting for inputs.

“What pushed us to form this organisation was a result of several challenges that were being faced by women farmers. Since we met at GMB, the membership of the union has spread countrywide with mostly resettled farmers,” said Mrs Nkomo.
She said women were greatly disadvantaged when trying to access subsidised inputs and farming implements.