According to AllAfrica, the programme begins with women in Lupane, Binga and Hwange. The training is being facilitated by officials from Irvine's, a giant in the poultry industry. More women from Umguza, Nkayi and Tsholotsho districts have started receiving their training.

Matabeleland North Women's League provincial chairperson Cde Medeline Bhebhe said through the chicken project, Dr Mugabe was responding to lack of opportunities among women, which has seen them being highly dependent on men.

"It has been noted that women are lagging behind when it comes to education and empowerment programmes. The First Lady believes this is a serious disadvantage for women as most of them are dependent on their male counterparts for sustainability. The First Lady has come up with a poultry project to empower disadvantaged women," said Cde Bhebhe.

"Before giving the women the chicks, she realised the need to educate them on how to nurture them. Most of the chicks that were given to the women earlier, died before reaching maturity.

"It's not clear whether this was because of the heavy rains or due to lack of knowledge on how to keep them. Umama said if she is to dispatch more chicks, women should be taught how to keep them." Cde Bhebhe could not disclose the exact number of women, who are set to benefit from the programme saying over 400 women would be trained.

She said it was the First Lady's hope that women would form groups in the chicken rearing programme. Cde Bhebhe said the empowerment of women can help tackle some social ills such as child marriages and prostitution.

She said the issue of child marriages and prostitution was a serious concern in rural and mining areas. "Education is a key empowerment tool because once women are empowered, they can pay for their children's school fees. We have a lot of girls, who are out of school and engaging in anti-social behaviour. We are living in the era of HIV and Aids but due to lack of education, girls are being married before they fully mature. There are a lot of girls engaging in prostitution in mining areas, so many children are contracting diseases in these areas," Cde Bhebhe said.