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By Wilson Maposa
Chesvingo Safe Market was officially opened on Thursday 11 July 2024, marking a significant milestone in the quest for economic empowerment of women and youth in Masvingo City. The modern market, located in Masvingo Mucheke suburb, was inaugurated by the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, in the presence of Minister Ezira Chadzamira, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
The newly launched market is a collaborative effort between Masvingo City Council, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Government of Zimbabwe. The project aimed to provide a safe and conducive environment for trade, and essential services such as the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) One-Stop Centre and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre.
Speaking to the enthusiastic crowd, Minister Mutsvangwa emphasized the importance of incorporating Point of Sale (POS) machines to promote the use of local (ZIG) ZWG currency. She encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the new market to improve their economic status.
One of the beneficiaries, Jesrinah Tagwirei, expressed her gratitude for the safe space provided by the market. “We are now able to sell our wares without worrying about where to leave our children since this place has a creche,” she said. “Additionally, gender-based violence cases will be dealt with at the centre, thanks to the Police Victim friendly unit, counselling, and the legal centre provided by Musasa Projects and ZIWLA.”
Moono Mupotola, Country Manager for AfDB, highlighted the bank’s commitment to empowering women and youth “By offering a safe and conducive environment for trade, along with essential services such as the GBV One-Stop centre and ECD centre, we aim to empower women and youth to participate more effectively in economic activities in a safe environment.”
Masvingo City Council has promised to allocate more land for similar projects in the future. The opening of Chesvingo Safe Market marks a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The Chesvingo Safe Market is a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership in promoting economic empowerment and social development. As it opens its doors to entrepreneurs from all walks of life, it is poised to make a positive impact on the lives of thousands of women and youth in Masvingo City.
