Zimbabwe: Women’s leadership demonstrates a positive shift in perspective

Whenever I attempted to find employment, I faced emotional and verbal abuse. I was told that women who work only attract men; that women were weak and useless; that a respectable wife should not pursue her own income.

For years, I swallowed that bitterness. I felt trapped, discouraged, and unsure of who I was outside my marriage. But deep inside, I longed for change — not just for myself, but for other women living the same painful reality. I wanted women to know that they had the right to work, contribute to their families, build dignified lives, and break free from the chains of harmful cultural beliefs.

My turning point came when I joined the Sunrise Campaign through Murewa Rural District Council and Gender Links. The programme taught me life skills that rebuilt the self-esteem I had lost. I picked up all the broken pieces of my life and began shaping a new version of myself — stronger, wiser, and determined. I joined politics, rose through party structures, and eventually became a Councillor. Today, I am recognised as a leader and a Driver of Change in my community.

I now have a home I built myself. My children completed school. I earned the respect I was once denied — not because I followed tradition, but because I dared to step beyond it.

Creating Space for Women to Lead

As a Gender Equality advocate and Councillor, my mission is clear: no one must be left behind. Murewa cannot develop sustainably unless women are included in decision-making and economic activities. I work closely with communities to strengthen relationships with the council, empower citizens to participate in development processes, and encourage women to contribute through payment of development levies and entrepreneurial ventures.

My role as a quota councillor is to ensure women’s voices are heard during council planning and budget consultations. Yet, working in a male-dominated community is not easy. Discussions about gender equality are often met with resistance, denial, and discomfort. Cultural norms take time to change, and sensitisation must be continuous. Still, I have witnessed women gaining confidence to speak up, challenge harmful norms, and take control of their lives — a direct result of consistent awareness-raising and mentorship.

Through gender work and political involvement, I broke free from marginalisation — and I am helping other women do the same.

How the Change Came About

A key turning point for my community was the introduction of mushroom farming. What seemed like a simple agricultural initiative became a powerful tool for gender equality, household food security, and economic transformation.

Training and capacity-building programmes targeted women and youth who had previously been excluded from meaningful economic opportunities. These trainings equipped them with skills to cultivate, manage, and market mushrooms. As women began earning income, their confidence grew — and so did their influence within households and the wider community.

Before mushroom farming, poverty felt like a permanent shadow over the village. Women were restricted to traditional roles. Today, those same women are active contributors to the local economy. They make financial decisions, support their households, invest in their children’s education, and participate in community development activities.

The village is now thriving. Income has increased, food security has improved, and gender roles are shifting. Mushroom farming has proven that when development is gender-sensitive, entire communities flourish.

Sustaining and Scaling Up the Change

For the transformation to last, our village is planning a multi-layered strategy to sustain and expand mushroom farming. The first step is establishing a village-based mushroom farmers’ cooperative — a structure that will help farmers share knowledge, unify production, access markets, and negotiate better prices.

We will continue to provide training for new farmers, especially youth, ensuring that skills transfer becomes automatic from one generation to the next. By exploring new markets and value chains, both locally and internationally, we hope to increase demand and income.

Partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector actors will provide the technical support and resources needed to expand operations and improve infrastructure. Eco-friendly practices and environmental conservation will also be prioritised, ensuring that mushroom farming remains sustainable and climate‑resilient.

With a strong foundation and growing confidence, the future looks bright for mushroom farming and for the families who depend on it.

Evidence of Transformation

The change is visible and undeniable. Families report better income and improved food security. Production has increased significantly, and more farmers have joined the initiative. Our market reach continues to expand, demonstrating that mushroom farming is both sustainable and scalable.

Beyond the numbers, the testimonials tell the real story:

“I never thought I would be able to provide for my family like this, but mushroom farming has given me a new lease on life.” — Kudzai Kazenge
“From poverty to prosperity — mushroom farming has been a game changer for us. We have gained independence, income, and a brighter future.” — Anesu Nemangwe
“Mushroom farming changed my life.” — Kundai Jere

Mushroom farming did more than introduce an income activity; it restored dignity, strengthened families, empowered women, and built a community that now believes in its own potential. It is a testament to how gender-sensitive, community-driven development can change lives permanently.

By: Nyarai Mabambe

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