Zimbabwe: A journey towards empowerment, physical and mental wellness

In the growing suburb of Claremont in Gweru, Zimbabwe, a quiet but powerful movement is reshaping the lives of women and young people. At the heart of this transformation is Precious Mujere, a Proportional Representation Councillor determined to create opportunities for women to thrive socially, economically and emotionally. Her story is one of resilience, leadership and the belief that change begins at community level.

In February 2025, Precious founded a credit club with 22 women, 12 young women, two commercial sex workers and eight women over the age of 40. The group represented a wide spectrum of lived realities, from women surviving through informal work to those navigating social stigma and economic marginalisation. Convincing community members to join the club was not easy. Many believed it was just another groceries club, a common community initiative. But Precious had a different vision: to build a financial safety net that would empower women, reduce vulnerability and promote wellness.

They began with a modest contribution of USD 5 per member, an amount chosen to ensure inclusivity. Precious had long questioned why, despite women constituting 52% of Zimbabwe’s population, their participation in significant economic sectors remained low. Women were mostly involved in low‑income survival activities such as selling vegetables, old clothes, or poultry rearing, while men dominated lucrative industries like construction, commercial farming and mining.

The club’s first collection was too small to benefit all members, so the women chose to channel their initial capital strategically. They prioritised the two commercial sex workers, who were among the most vulnerable. The group offered them start‑up capital with a manageable interest rate. This marked the beginning of a remarkable shift: women who were once confined to risky environments gained the security, confidence and stability needed to build new livelihoods as informal traders.

As months passed, the credit fund grew steadily. Women accessed loans to start income‑generating projects, from horticulture and clothing sales to poultry businesses. These ventures brought not only financial relief but also restored dignity, reduced poverty and strengthened mental and physical wellness.

The Change

The transformation has been profound and visible. The two commercial sex workers supported early in the programme have since left nightclubs and hazardous environments. They now run stable small businesses, giving them renewed agency over their lives.

Precious also observed that many women in her community, particularly young landlords rarely participated in governance processes such as ward meetings, budget consultations and women’s initiatives. She saw an opportunity: if women were not coming to the spaces of governance, she would bring governance to the spaces they trusted. The credit club became an entry point to civic engagement. Slowly, participation grew. By the 2026 budget cycle, six members attended council budget consultations, a milestone the community had never achieved before.

Beyond economic and civic empowerment, the club also addressed social challenges. Illegal dumping had become a growing concern in Claremont, but through discussions held during their meetings, members carried out awareness campaigns on waste management. The results were tangible cases of illegal dumping began to decline.

Mental and physical wellness also took centre stage. The club invited funeral service providers like Doves Morgan to educate women on funeral policies, resulting in ten members joining. They also attended breast cancer screening sessions organised by the Gweru City Council, ensuring members accessed essential health services.

As the club expanded its horizons, Precious invited organisations such as the Legal Resources Foundation to teach women about inheritance, safeguarding property and understanding their rights. These interactions strengthened women’s confidence in navigating legal and financial systems — areas traditionally perceived as inaccessible.

How the Change Came About

The change emerged through collective effort, shared learning and consistent engagement. Women began taking on projects that moved them from dependency to independence:

• One woman used her loan to begin constructing her home, following correct town planning regulations.
• Another expanded her poultry project from a household activity to a business, growing her stock to over 300 birds and aiming to venture into layers and broilers.
• Many young women who previously relied entirely on spouses are now contributing to household income.

The ripple effects extend beyond economics. Cases of GBV and emotional violence, often linked to financial stress and idleness, have significantly decreased. Women are more confident, more engaged and better equipped to challenge harmful norms.

Sustaining and Scaling the Change

Looking ahead, the club aims to build a strong leadership structure, enhance financial literacy and expand membership. Their goal is to include more youths, commercial sex workers and people with disabilities — groups often excluded from mainstream economic platforms.

Partnerships with local organisations, businesses and government agencies will support training and resource mobilisation. The club also plans to finalise its constitution to allow members to open bank accounts and use the constitution as collateral when seeking loans.

With unity and love as their guiding values, the women of Claremont are building a strong, supportive system where each member’s success strengthens the whole community.

Voices of Change

Economic health yields physical health — Brenda Mutunami
The club is leading to small businesses— Fiona Machazire
Capacitation leads to success — Mrs Matope

By: Precious Mujere