'Participate in Tourism to Eradicate Poverty'

from All Africa

The Herald (Harare)

NEWS
Harare

WOMEN, youths and the disabled should be streamlined into the national economy especially tourism if the country is to eradicate poverty and economically empower its people, a Cabinet minister has said.

Officially opening the inaugural Women in Tourism Workshop, the Minister of Gender and Community Development Cde Oppah Muchinguri said women, youths and disabled should demand a share of the country's tourism if they are to participate fully in the development of Zimbabwe.

"This is in recognition of the fact that there is a strong linkage between women, participation in tourism and poverty alleviation since the sector provides various entry points for creating self employment in small and medium-sized enterprises.

"We therefore need a vehicle that will mobilise resources to purchase shares in all sectors of the economy and this includes tourism and mining."

"We said during different consultation processes for the Indigenisation and Empowerment Bill, that women, youths and the disabled should be major players in the economy," she said.

The Indigenisation and Empowerment Bill aims at securing a 51 percent stake in foreign-owned companies.

Cde Muchinguri said the Government was committed to creating a conducive environment in which both men and women can participate equally in development. She said the Government has noted that the participation of women faced many challenges.