Gender Committee Chairperson to Council Vice Chairperson

Idirashe Dongo is a 44-year-old councillor from Zibagwe Rural District Council. She is currently the Vice Chairperson of the council, a position she assumed after the 2023 elections. She is one of two female councillors in the council to be elected through direct election. Before her current position, Dongo served as the council's Gender Champion and Chairperson of the Gender Committee, where she advocated for several gender issues to be addressed by the council. However, she highlights that her new position as the Vice Chairperson of the council has given her new monitoring responsibilities. 

“I have assumed a new responsibility, now I can see whether all council committees are implementing gender issues across the board. The concentration is no longer just on one committee for me. I can hold other committees accountable for gender issues in my position”, she said. “Working with Gender Links and the Women and Youth Inclusion for Equality programme has empowered me to influence change in the spaces I engage in. I am the leader of the Pastors 4 ED, where I have influenced the church to engage in gender activities and recognise the importance of women in the church”. Dongo highlights that she has influenced traditional leaders to include women in decision-making spaces. 

“At the ward level, I managed to advocate for women headmen. I approached the chief with my idea (to make women headmen) since in my area, being a headman is not linked to lineage like in many places. Through my advocacy, there are now 8 women headmen in my ward who are exceptional leaders, with one being the head of their disciplinary committee”, she said. Dongo stated that she set up developmental subcommittees in her ward that mirror the council committees. “This will assist me with reporting to the council on the various issues given my multiple responsibilities. I am also happy to tell you that the Sports and Recreation Subcommittee is headed by young people, whilst the remaining are gender balanced”, she said. “Lastly, in my personal life, I am making a lot of gender considerations even when budgeting. I am truly grateful for the training that I received. I think gender is a fundamental principle”, says Dongo. She adds that she would not have witnessed these changes if not for the training she has received.