The Chinese embassy in Harare has donated a batch of teaching equipment to the Women's University of Africa in Zimbabwe to support the vocational training program to promote gender equality.

The equipment includes five state-of-the-art computers, 12 sewing machines, one welding machine and some building tools. The equipment is badly needed by the university, said Fay Chung, board chairwoman and patron of the university.

Speaking at the donation ceremony at the weekend, Zhang Xianyi, the Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, said the university is the first higher educational institution for women in the African continent which aims at providing equal opportunity for them in university education and promoting gender equality.

He spoke highly of the determination of the Zimbabwean government to encourage women to take active part in social and economic construction and break up gender inequality.

"We are happy to see that the social status of women all over the world, particularly in Africa, has been improved and elevated. Women are now playing increasingly important roles in politics, economy and social life in Zimbabwe," he said.

Zhang said the Chinese government has always attached importance to protection of women's right and interests, and put in place measures to create an environment in which men and women equally share everything.

He also urged China and Zimbabwe to expand exchange and cooperation in women's development of the two countries.

Source: Xinhua