ZPCS Deputy Commissioner General Shepherd Mpofu
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Women should be equipped to make meaningful contributions to the economic and social fabric of our society as we pursue Vision 2030, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, Shepherd Mpofu has said.
Deputy Commissioner General Mpofu revealed this on Friday in Harare, during the graduation ceremony of members of ZPCS’s Phakamani/Simukai Women’s Network who undertook courses with the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy and the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU).
The group of women made of up female ZPCS officers and spouses of male officers, went through a week long training on several issues including diplomacy, grooming and etiquette, leadership, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
“Through this initiative, we are addressing systemic barriers that hinder women’s progress, while cultivating a culture of inclusivity and resilience.
“Today marks a significant milestone in your careers and lives and I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you for your participation.
“Your selfless dedication throughout this week has been inspiring and the certificates awarded to you represent the cornerstone of your future success in all your endeavours.
“Throughout the workshop, you have engaged in comprehensive learning experiences covering critical areas such as planning, marketing and financial management.
“The Phakamani/Simukai Women’s Network is not just preparing you to seek employment but also paving the way for you to become job creators, innovators and leaders within your communities.
”This initiative represents a transformative approach to empowerment, ensuring that women are equipped to make meaningful contributions to the economic and social fabric of our society as we pursue Vision 2030,” said Deputy Commissioner General Mpofu.
He added that the 26 women had gained vital skills in diplomatic relations, grooming and etiquette, which are all important in today’s interconnected world because building strong relationships and presenting oneself with confidence is very crucial.
“You have also learnt effective communication, networking and conflict resolution techniques that will benefit you in all areas of life. Conflict resolution is important especially for women in leadership, as it fosters understanding and prevents misunderstandings.
“I believe this workshop has empowered you to make Phakamani/Simukai Women’s Network a vibrant and impactful organization.
“Leadership is another cornerstone of this programme. Women bring unique perspectives to leadership, and we are dedicated to nurturing these skills within you. Through interactive sessions and real-world case studies, you have learned how to build and lead high-performing teams, make informed decisions, and drive positive change,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner General Mpofu added that aligning with the government’s efforts to empower women in the country, ZPCS acknowledges the National Gender Policy, which promotes gender equality and women’s empowerment across all sectors of society.
“Your participation in this programme therefore exemplifies the shared commitment of all stakeholders to create an enabling environment where women can realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of our nation.
“Through this initiative, we are addressing systemic barriers that hinder women’s progress, while cultivating a culture of inclusivity and resilience. By providing access to transformative educational opportunities and skill-building workshops, we are also laying the groundwork for lifelong learning and empowerment. This holistic approach ensures that women are not only participants but also leaders, driving innovation and fostering social change in their communities.”
He also applauded the facilitators from the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy and ZOU saying the commitment they had shown was essential in equipping the women with the knowledge and skills they need for their day to day operations.
“The impact of your efforts is profound and your contributions will continue to influence their personal and professional growth. Thank you for your invaluable role in shaping the future of ZPCS.
“To the participants, congratulations to you all once again. As you progress, I encourage you to apply what you have learnt, for the betterment of you, your families, the organisation and nation at large. You are now part of a vibrant community of leaders and together, you have the power to create a more just, equitable and prosperous society.
“We look forward to witness the positive impact you will make in the society,” he added.
Marian Chihobvu, Chairperson of Phakamani/Simukai Women’s Network
Marian Chihobvu, the Chairperson of Phakamani/Simukai Women’s Network, said the courses were an eye opener and also proved that there is no age limit for learning.
“We were taught quite a lot, we were taught about cleanliness and how we live in our communities, maintaining good relations with our fellow community members.
“We were taught about proper business practices and I’m happy to know that this programme will also cascade to the provinces.
“As a group we are also grateful to President Mnangagwa and the First Lady who are on record saying that women should be empowered and that no one should be left behind, so we are happy with that.
“The women have really learnt and we will put into practise what we have been taught,” added Mrs Chihobvu.
Similar sentiments were also echoed by Rosemary Matipuwa, Phakamani/Simukai Women’s Network Provincial Coordinator for Harare Metropolitan; who said the course had helped them to conduct their meetings in a professional manner.
“I think we will now conduct our meetings differently, we now know how best to work with the members of our group. We also learnt about leadership and how you conduct yourself and even etiquette, so we will cascade this knowledge to other women out there.”
Vova Chikanda, Chairperson and co-founder of the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy
Chairperson and co-founder of the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy, Vova Chikanda, said women empowerment is one of their key components because “if we put women in front, we are done.”
He added: “what we imparted to these ladies were ideas of how to be diplomatic and resolve conflicts in the home and how to do business and how to be timely and how to know that they are precedent in life.
“Our women are the leaders, so that’s why we gave them also leadership skills.
“When it came to grooming, deportment and dressing, even walking, carriage; we were concentrating on hygienic issues for women, how they should do physical exercises to be ready for their husbands and also to be fine in life and to get rid of stress and how they should wash,” said Chikanda.
He added that they also taught the women professionalism and image dynamics.
Dr Eurita Nyamanhare, Director Community Engagement and Outreach at ZOU
Director Community Engagement and Outreach at ZOU, Dr Eurita Nyamanhare said she had to teach the women about economic empowerment and how they can also add onto the country’s Vision 2030 and also the rise of entrepreneurship.
Commenting on the duration of the course, Dr Nyamanhare said the time was quite enough as the women managed to grasp the courses and she was confident that the lessons will be put to good use.
“One hour or 30 minutes, one can learn something and even one day you can even get a certificate of attendance to acknowledge your presence and so one week, it was a week of exposing women to some knowledge and the challenge that I gave them was to say they must leave the workshop having heard something that will add value to their lives.
“For you to learn, there should be a change of behaviour,” she added.
