Zimbabwe: Empowering women, youth and communities through inclusive leadership

When Councillor Busisiwe Mpofu Brown was elected to lead Ward 6 in Umguza District, she stepped into a community living through daily hardship. Water was scarce, health services were limited, unemployment was widespread, and women and youth had little access to the support they needed. In many rural households, women travelled long distances to collect water, struggled to manage their menstrual health without pads, and had little access to accurate health information. Before her leadership, there were no structured health programmes, minimal livelihood opportunities, and almost no space for women and young people to participate meaningfully in development.

From the beginning, she believed that leadership must be rooted in service and shared ownership. Her vision was simple but ambitious: to transform Ward 6 into a strong, vibrant, agricultural and empowered hub where every resident—particularly women and youth—could thrive. She started by listening. Meeting with community leaders, women’s groups, and young people, she asked them what mattered most. The answers shaped her priorities: water access, health awareness, women’s empowerment, and youth participation.

A Shift from Scarcity to Progress

Today, Ward 6 looks significantly different. Several boreholes now provide clean, reliable water to hundreds of households. What was once a daily struggle for survival has been replaced with dignity and opportunity. With water close to their homes, women and children no longer walk long distances, freeing up time for school, income generation, and rest. Community gardens have sprung up around the boreholes, where families grow vegetables to feed their households and sell the surplus at nearby markets. These gardens have improved nutrition and generated small but meaningful income streams.

Health has also taken centre stage. Through partnerships with nurses, doctors, and pharmaceutical companies, Councillor Brown introduced free community health expos. Residents are now screened for hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic conditions, and many have received essential medicines at no cost. Records, testimonies, and photographs show hundreds of people benefiting from these services, with queues forming early in the morning, evidence of both need and community trust.

Menstrual health has been transformed. During International Menstrual Hygiene Month, schoolgirls and young women received sanitary pads, while the newly formed Women’s Club began producing reusable sanitary pads. Beyond improving access, the programme restored dignity, reduced absenteeism from school, and sparked a new income‑generating opportunity for women.

Ward 6 now marks October with a Breast Cancer Awareness March, which brings together residents, traditional leaders, health workers, men, and women. The march promotes early detection and encourages women to prioritise their health. Men’s Conferences address gender equality, responsibility, and the role of men in building peaceful communities, while sports and cultural activities bring the community together in unity and pride.

How Transformation Took Root

None of these changes happened by chance. They were the result of deliberate teamwork, planning, and a shared community vision. Councillor Brown mobilised residents engaged partners such as Bhungane Investments, and encouraged men, women, and youth to participate actively in development.

Farmers received training to grow cabbages, tomatoes, and other crops, and many are now contributing to her dream of making Ward 6 the agricultural hub of Umguza. The Reusable Pads Women’s Club was born out of a simple but profound need: girls missing school because they could not afford sanitary pads. Through this initiative, women now make and distribute pads while teaching others to do the same.

Every initiative in Ward 6 is grounded in collective ownership. Borehole committees maintain water points. The Women’s Club continues to train new members. Youth are increasingly involved in farming and community clean‑up campaigns. Leadership training for young people ensures that progress continues beyond one electoral term. Women’s confidence has grown, with many now taking part in decision‑making processes and running their own income‑generating activities.

Sustaining and Expanding the Change

Sustainability lies at the heart of Ward 6’s transformation. Every programme has a community structure behind it to ensure continuity. Plans are under way to expand health expos to more villages and introduce youth‑led agricultural training. Partnerships with NGOs, local government, and the private sector will support long‑term growth. Perhaps the greatest achievement is the strengthened community spirit—men, women, and youth working together with a shared purpose. This unity has become the backbone of change and the strongest guarantee that progress will continue.

Evidence of Transformation

The impact of these efforts is visible in every corner of Ward 6. Functional boreholes supply clean water daily. Thriving gardens ensure households have nutritious food and extra income. Health expos have reached hundreds with screenings and vital medical support. Menstrual hygiene programmes have restored dignity and confidence to girls and women. The Breast Cancer Awareness March has become a symbol of solidarity, inspiring more women to seek early screening.

Community members are not silent about these achievements. Their voices reflect a community transformed:

We used to walk long distances for water, but now clean water is just near our homes. The Councillor listens and acts — Mrs Ncube, Community Member

“Cllr Brown gave us confidence. We now make our own reusable pads and teach other women. She has changed our lives — Miss Moyo, Women’s Club Member

“She showed us that development starts with us. We are now involved in farming and clean‑up campaigns instead of idleness — Mr Sibanda, Youth Representative

Ward 6 now stands as a testament to what inclusive, people‑centred leadership can achieve: health, dignity, opportunity, and hope for all.

By: Councillor Busisiwe Mpofu Brown