First lady Auxilia Mnangagwa has applauded Zimbabwe for scooping 13 gender awards.

Posting on Twitter, Mnangagwa said: “I’m immensely proud that Zimbabwe has won 13 regional gender awards – the most of any country”.

Auxilia thanked everyone who works tirelessly every day for greater gender equality in the country.

Speaking during the awards ceremony dubbed ‘Regional Voice and Choice Summit Awards’, Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said the awards were a greater honour for the country.

“We are very proud as a nation and as the Ministry responsible for gender l am absolutely happy, this is amazing and what is pleasing is that it is mainly young women, lets march on girls this is wonderful keep up the good work.

Other dignitaries that attended the awards were Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo, High Commissioner of Canada to South Africa, Ambassador Christopher Cooter and Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Chairperson of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Matsepo Ramakoae.