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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 50310, member: 636"]
Women business owners across Zimbabwe face tough money problems that stop them from growing their companies. Local entrepreneur Sandra Jeche works in clothing manufacturing and knows how hard it becomes without proper funding. She says women cannot expand their businesses when banks refuse to lend them cash. Female business leaders play major roles in farming and street trading but still hit walls everywhere. Money access means everything for women who want to build successful companies.

Zimbabwe Women's Microfinance Bank handed out more than 8,000 loans since January started. Dr Mandas Marikanda runs the bank and sees huge gaps in regular lending practices. Women control 42 percent of all Zimbabwe businesses but receive just 16 percent of normal business loans. Female company owners hire more workers and bring in thousands through sales. The bank wants to become the only lender that focuses completely on helping women succeed.

About one-third of women say money shortage blocks them from starting businesses compared to just 20 percent of men. Dr Mavis Sibanda from the Women Affairs Ministry supports government efforts to boost female economic participation. She believes strong economies need equal chances for everyone to access capital and opportunities. Banks that support gender equality create healthier economies and reach new customer groups. The push for women's economic freedom connects to the Beijing Declaration's 30th anniversary celebrations happening globally.
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