The Zimbabwe Women Rural Development Trust has urged women to venture into the more lucrative mining business.

Zimbabwe is endowed with vast minerals but few women are into mining.

In an interview at the national commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, ZWRDT spokesperson, Mrs Sandra Chitukudza said the trust encourages women in rural areas to venture into income generating projects such as agriculture, tourism and mining.

She said through mining, women could bring home reasonable income.

This would reduce poverty and incidences domestic violence.

"We have discovered that women were mostly engaging in cross border trading and other minor enterprises which are no longer viable," said Mr Chitukudza.

"There are several minerals in Zimbabwe and women can take advantage and exploit the minerals to earn a living."

Mrs Chitukudza said many foreigners were coming to exploit minerals yet some locals did not have adequate knowledge on the business.

"Women have been restricted to sewing projects, poultry and vending but they can also break into the untapped businesses such as mining and tourism," Mrs Chitukudza said.

Through mining, Mrs Chitukudza said, women could feed the nation.

The organisation offers training on identification of minerals the mining and marketing of the commodities.

"Some women have been in the industry as panners but still lack knowledge on proper mining," she said.

Mrs Chitukudza said the trust was facing challenges as most of its members were in rural areas and lacked funding.

She said if properly done mining could financially support the agriculture sector.

"Women miners can finance their agriculture projects using proceeds from their mines," she said.

Ms Chitukudza said market was not a problem as Zimbabwean minerals were in demand worldwide.