Binga women unlock economic power through WCoZ’s NDS1 training
Bwami Chonga Mudimba
In a transformative move to empower young women in rural Zimbabwe, the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Binga Chapter, in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, recently held a groundbreaking training session on the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
The workshop aimed to educate women on their pivotal role in driving Zimbabwe’s economic growth and achieving Vision 2030—the nation’s bold ambition to become an upper-middle-income society by the end of the decade.
Lloyd Chikwiramakomo, a development coordinator, underscored the urgency of women’s participation in national programs, stating, “NDS1 is the foundation of Vision 2030, and young women are key to its success.” He explained that the strategy, running from 2021 to 2025, focuses on economic stability, job creation, and inclusive governance, with its successor, NDS2 (2026-2030), set to amplify these efforts. The guiding principle—Leave No One and No Place Behind” seeks to ensure that even marginalized communities like Binga are integral to national progress.
For many attendees, the training was an eye-opener. Angelina Mugande, Vice Chairlady of WCoZ Binga, shared her revelation: “I didn’t realize my chicken project was contributing to NDS1 by funding my child’s education and boosting food security.” Stories like hers highlight how grassroots initiatives align with national goals—yet many women only learned of NDS1 as it nears its end.
Ezra Munkuli, a local entrepreneur, voiced a critical concern: “If we had known about NDS1 earlier, we could have done more.” Her sentiment echoes a broader challenge—delayed information dissemination—which limits rural women’s ability to maximize their impact. Meanwhile, Unity Mugande, a young participant, left inspired: “Now I see how my work matters. Every woman should engage in nation-building.”
The session concluded with a powerful call to action from Plaxedia Mawuto, WCoZ Binga Chairlady: “Unity is our strength. When women collaborate, we create leaders who can elevate our voices nationally.”
As Zimbabwe prepares for NDS2, ensuring women are informed and involved from the start will be crucial. This training marks a pivotal step—not just for Binga, but for Zimbabwe’s future.
