Zimbabwe: Empowering Women and Girls in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe.

"In order to be successful, you have to learn from others first."  

The journey working with Zibagwe Rural District Council in Kwekwe, has been rough, tough and interesting for councillor Yvone Nyati who witnessed real time struggles women face in achieving economic independence. Motivated to make some tangible differences, she launched a series of initiatives aimed at empowering women through skills development, entrepreneurship, and social support. She coined this statement; “change starts with you right here right now." to mitigate the economic hardships health challenges that were faced by the very people who elected her to serve them.  

 Upon recognizing the urgent need to address both the economic empowerment for women and menstrual hygiene for school-going girls, Councillor Nyati introduced several income generating projects. These included poultry farming, baking, detergent making, and drink production, equipping women with practical, marketable skills while creating avenues for financial independence. She also introduced and established Rotating Savings and Credit Associations (ROSCAs), enabling women to pool resources, access small loans, and build financial resilience. To tackle menstrual hygiene challenges, she launched a campaign to distribute sanitary pads in schools, reducing absenteeism and allowing girls to attend classes with confidence and dignity. Additionally, grocery distributions to the elderly helped support vulnerable community members and fostered intergenerational solidarity. The councillor was proactive when she encouraged communities to have access to cheap affordable finances that would boost their income generation ventures. She pushed participants to embrace the idea of working together and learning from each other. 

 The outcomes of these initiatives have been transformative in the sense that women gained financial independence, new skills, and confidence, while girls benefited from better menstrual hygiene which improved school attendance. Families saw improved well-being, and communities embraced greater social cohesion and gender equality. The ripple effects are visible of her interventions are bearing fruits because empowered women are serving as role models, challenging traditional norms and inspiring others to pursue entrepreneurship and leadership. 

 There is compelling evidence of change since women’s participation in income generating projects has increased household incomes and instilled humility and self-reliance among upcoming entrepreneurs. Girls who received sanitary pads now attend school consistently, boosting their academic performance and self-esteem. Women and girls have gained essential skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and personal development, enabling them to participate more actively in economic and social spheres. Tangible outputs like baked goods, homemade drinks, and poultry project demonstrate the skills acquired and their practical application. 

 The participation of women in the rotational savings and lending schemes had changed the standard of living for many. The best practices were captured through videos, photographs, constitutions and minutes of meetings attended. Pictures of women receiving kitchen utensils through ROSCAs in Munyati, and schoolgirls receiving sanitary pads from the councillor and grocery distributions to the elderly in Long Valley, Sherwood in Kwekwe. In addition, videos and stories that captured women proudly showcasing drinks they produced and learning cake-baking techniques with Councillor Nyati and Tonganyika Trust are available. 

To ensure long-term success, Councillor Nyati focused on sustainability strategies scalability and replication of some income generating initiatives. She realised that involving the community in every step of the way will ensure ownership. She also created a calendar and fully funded ongoing training and mentorship programmes. She further initiated and partnered with government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to leverage resources, policy support, and networks. The replicated successful models in other communities will act as an expansion model whose impact will last beyond her tenure of office. 

 Through these initiatives, Kwekwe has already seen a visible transformation. Women are financially independent, girls attend school with dignity, and communities are increasingly supportive of gender equality. These efforts are building a foundation for lasting change, creating a society where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive. 

By: Yvone Nyati