By Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation says it is keen to provide equal opportunities for women and girls to actively participate in sports and recreation in the country.
Speaking at the Walkathon for the National Women in Sport Festival held on Monday , Permanent Secretary in the ministry , Dr Thokozile Chitepo said women are a key pillar to societal development and in some instances hardly get recognized hence the ministry’s pledge to promoting inclusivity.
“It is also encouraging to observe that this celebration has a multi-faceted approach that will not only enrich women, but is also in line with the terms of the Sport, Arts and Recreation Policies which are aimed at promoting active lifestyle and encourage formation of community clubs. As a Ministry, we firmly believe that constant involvement by us all women in particular, in sport and recreation involvement is a deterrent to non-communicable to disorders which has provided persistent risk to the health and lives of women in the country.
My encouragement to all women in this sector and beyond is to adorn yourselves with integrity, empathy, humility, resilience, vision, positivity and have the capacity to surround yourself with good people. Such mental preparation will aid in your edification as women and position you for growth.”
She further added that sport and recreation sector accords women opportunities to sustain their livelihoods and contribute immensely to government’s thrust of empowerment and reduction of unemployment and end poverty.
” Ladies and gentleman, the provision of equal opportunity to participate and be involved in sport whether for the purpose of leisure and recreation, health promotion or high performance, is the right of every woman, regardless of race, color, language, religion, age, marital status, disability, political belief social origin. It is therefore our encouragement as a Ministry for women and girls in Zimbabwe to take up their interest and pursue them fully and unravel the various opportunities within for gainful living.”
The National Women and Girls Festival ran under the theme # WomenCan.
