Parliamentarians urged to champion women’s access to regional, international markets

Nokuthaba Brita Ncube, ncubenokuthababrita@gmail.com

PARLIAMENTARIANS have been called upon to champion policies that promote trade and enhance women’s access to regional and international markets.

This appeal was made during a recent parliamentary session, where legislators emphasised the need for specific interventions to empower women entrepreneurs and bolster export activities.

Ms Dorothy Kadungure, one of the legislators, highlighted the importance of reducing trade barriers, simplifying export procedures and providing targeted incentives for businesses engaged in exporting goods and services.

“Women entrepreneurs bring unique perspectives and innovations to the marketplace. By accessing regional and international markets, they can expand their businesses, increase productivity and significantly contribute to economic growth,” she said.

Ms Kadungure pointed to existing frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the SADC Protocol on Trade as valuable tools that parliamentarians can leverage to enhance trade opportunities for women.

She also stressed the need to utilise Zimbabwe’s comprehensive trade policy framework, which is designed to support business growth, attract investment and enhance the country’s trade competitiveness.

However, Ms Kadungure acknowledged that women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Zimbabwe face significant barriers to accessing regional and international markets.

“These challenges include limited access to finance, inadequate marketing skills and an unfriendly regulatory environment,” she said.

To address these issues, Ms Kadungure proposed the establishment of financial support mechanisms, such as grants, low-interest loans and credit facilities tailored to businesses seeking to expand into new markets.

“Participating in trade missions and fairs can also play a pivotal role. Parliamentarians can use these platforms to promote Zimbabwean products, attract foreign investment and forge strategic partnerships.”

She further urged legislators to facilitate linkages between MSMEs and larger enterprises, both domestically and internationally, through initiatives such as business matchmaking events, networking sessions and trade delegations.

Ms Kadungure said empowering women entrepreneurs is crucial to achieving Vision 2030.

“By investing in capacity building, financial inclusion and trade facilitation, we can create an enabling environment for women to thrive,” she said.