Young women’s access to socio-economic opportunities limited

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

There’s need to address problems which limit women’s access to social-economic opportunities, so that they realise their full potential; Director for Economic Justice for Women Project (EJWP), Margaret Mutsamvi has said.

Mutsamvi revealed this on Tuesday during her organization’s stakeholder engagement meeting in Harare.

The meeting which was supported by the Southern Africa Trust, also sought to strengthen the voices and agency of young women in advocating for a just energy transition and a gender-responsive Mines and Minerals Policy, as the bill is still at the Attorney General’s Office.

During the meeting, a documentary detailing the stories of young women living in mining communities of Hwange, Chimanimani and Goromonzi was premiered, to identify their key challenges and more importantly amplify their voice in policy and strategy.

“The main objective of the stakeholder engagement meeting was to facilitate a dialoguing platform between critical stakeholders and young women living in mining communities to ensure that the young women directly share their stories and experiences with duty bearers for redress.

“EJWP has walked quite a journey documenting through research papers and stories and experiences of young women in a series of documentaries and as a strategy, has introduced these #SheConnects platforms for a direct engagement between young women affected by mining investments and initiatives and critical duty bearers such as legislature, ministries such as Ministry of Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises and Community Development, Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Mines, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and respective civil society organizations.

“The aim is ensuring that such platforms map a practical way/steps forward in addressing emerging problems that are limiting the young women’s access to full socio-economic opportunities in respective host communities,” said Mutsamvi.

She also revealed that in 2019, they conducted a research which sought to look at the intersection between the extractivism, tax justice and young women.

“This is still part of documenting young women’s stories so that we can understand them more. Sometimes we feel that we are ready to tackle issues and we know that in mining communities, there are child marriages and all those things but we preferred to continue documenting, to go to the stories, listen to the voices, before we can jump on to say the major challenge is this and how we can deal with this.

“So we are still on the journey of documenting women’s stories and the documentary is part of feeding in and adding onto the research paper that we did.

“So the project that has facilitated the continued documentation of these stories was supported by the Southern Africa Trust,” she added.

EJWP is a young women-focused, non-profit organization dedicated to addressing gender inequalities through strengthening women’s active participation in the economy at all levels.

The key principle underlying EJWP’s work is ‘making economies work for women’ informed by the need to reduce the structural causes of poverty and vulnerabilities among young women.

Barriers to women’s participation in politics and activism

BY LINDA TSUNGIRIRAI MASARIRA

Zimbabwean women face numerous challenges that hinder their participation in politics and activism. These obstacles are deeply rooted in cultural, religious, and traditional beliefs that perpetuate gender inequality.

One major issue is the expectation that women should prioritize caregiving, household chores, and family duties over political engagement. This limits their time, energy, and opportunities for political involvement. Additionally, women are often looked down upon, and their capabilities are underestimated, leading to a lack of confidence and self-belief.

Religious sects, such as the Apostolic Church, restrict women’s leadership roles, perpetuating gender inequality. Similarly, some churches, like the SDA, do not allow women to become official pastors. These religious beliefs perpetuate gender stereotypes, confining women to submissive and nurturing roles.

Cultural beliefs and traditional practices also hinder women’s political participation. For instance, women are expected to prioritize family and domestic duties, and those who choose to pursue political careers are often viewed as neglecting their responsibilities. Moreover, women are often excluded from decision-making processes and leadership positions, perpetuating male dominance.

Education is also a significant barrier. In some families, boys are prioritized over girls, limiting women’s access to education and opportunities for political engagement.

The notion that women should submit to men, especially in customary marriages, perpetuates gender inequality. This belief is often reinforced by churches and cultural practices, restricting women’s autonomy and agency.

To address these challenges, Zimbabwe needs to implement policies and programs that promote gender equality, challenge harmful gender stereotypes, and support women’s political participation and activism. This includes education and awareness-raising initiatives, quota systems, and mentorship programs.

By addressing these barriers, Zimbabwe can empower women to take on leadership roles, participate in politics, and contribute to the country’s development. It is essential to recognize the value of women’s participation in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.

ActionForEquality #TimeIsNow

YourVoiceMatters #TimeToAct

ZWACT to action report findings

**Sandra Matendere, ZWACT Executive Director, flanked by Dr Onesmus Nyaude** **(left) and Allan Chaumba**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Zimbabwe Women Against Corruption Trust (ZWACT) which recently successfully launched its report titled, “Gendered impact of land corruption and displacements on women’s access to social-economic rights in Zimbabwe”, is now working on implementing the research findings.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, ZWACT Executive Director, Sandra Matendere, said while the research was carried out in Masvingo and Manicaland, it was a fact that displacements are happening in various other provinces, hence when resources permit, they will move to other areas.

“After launching this report, our next step is to publicize our research findings, on various platforms.

“And another point of action is we are going to engage the Parliament and also local authorities, sharing with them our findings and recommendations.

“And very soon, we are going to have an engagement with the Parliamentarians and we are going to give them the recommendations and also influence policy reforms in terms of land allocation and also the reactions of the governments when displacements take place.

“These are the issues which want to be addressed, especially on compensation in terms of the gendered approach in terms of addressing these displacements,” said Matendere.

She added: “these issues of displacements are happening countrywide so if resources allow, we are going to do similar engagements and researches in various provinces so that we see which area is affected the most in terms of the land corruption so that it can be addressed.”

Matendere said in these two provinces where the research was conducted, evictions took place, leading to women experiencing a lot.

“So we went to these areas to find out how these issues of land corruption and displacements affect women and girls in those communities.

“So today we were sharing the findings from the report and basically, it shows that a lot of women who are staying there, they got the land from the traditional leaders from those communities.

“But however they didn’t have the title deeds and they were settling in State land which is not allowed for them to reside. So the issue is why are the evictions happening this year after 10 years of settling in these communities.

“So we wanted to find out how we can chip in, in terms of coming up with policies or recommendations to the policy makers on the existing legal frameworks in terms of the land distribution to have a gender lens in terms of land distribution because we have seen that the evictions were done arbitrarily without protecting the rights of women especially those with disability, they were affected by these evictions.

“And also we wanted to see the existing legal frameworks which allow people to settle and they are evicted from their communities,” she said.

Matendere added that another issue that came out from the report is that women lost their livelihoods from the evictions, as some of them were not evicted physically but emotionally. She added that in some of the court cases, the women were represented by some human rights lawyers pertaining to the evictions and they won the cases.

“Regardless of winning the case, the challenge is that they were affected psychologically because of the uncertainty of their stay in these communities, they are not sure when they will be evicted again from those communities.

“So they won’t make any meaningful developments in these communities. So it is affecting them, so they actually need support, psychologically or counselling because most of them they have been affected.

“There are also some women who are from migrant backgrounds, they bought the land from the local leadership because they don’t have anywhere they can stay, so these are their only homes, so evicting them from those places it’s a mammoth task, it’s a challenge to them, so it’s something that is affecting these women.

“So we want our policy makers to assist in terms of implementing the existing policies and also to amend the legal frameworks that are allowing the disagreement in terms of who owns which land. Because as it stands, some local authorities are allocating land and then the village heads are also allocating, so we need a single framework which is clear on who owns land, who has the power to allocate land,” she added.

Menstrual health is men’s issue too

After noticing how menstrual health issues significantly affected girls and young women in farming communities, one man decided to become a champion of reason.

He decided to help ease the burden of those less privileged, so that they access one of the most important health needs of women and girls. Today he is a menstrual health champion, something he has dedicated his life to.

To know more about his cause, our reporter MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA (MBD) had a chat with TATENDA COLE CHIGWADA (TCC), National Projects Coordinator at Next Generation Capacity Building Space.

MBD: What made you decide to be a menstrual health champion, and why this cause in particular?

TCC: Growing up in a farming and rural area, I witnessed first hand how limited access to information around menstrual health affected many young girls and women. Poverty was a significant barrier, and the spiritual beliefs from apostolic sects often exacerbated the stigma and misinformation surrounding menstruation. I chose this cause because menstrual health is fundamental to the dignity, health, and empowerment of women and girls. Addressing this issue can lead to broader societal changes, including improved education and economic opportunities.

MBD: Being a man, some would also want to know why you embarked on this journey.

TCC: As a man, I recognize that menstrual health is not just a women’s issue but a societal one. I embarked on this journey because I believe men have a crucial role to play in breaking the taboos and supporting the women in our lives. My experiences growing up in a community where this topic was shrouded in silence, motivated me to become an advocate for change and ensure that no girl or woman has to suffer in silence or miss opportunities because of a natural biological process.

MBD: What do you hope to achieve and how many people do you aim to reach?

TCC: I hope to achieve a community where menstrual health is openly discussed and supported, and where girls and women have access to the products and information they need. My goal is to reach as many individuals as possible, starting with hundreds in Mashonaland Central and expanding to thousands across other rural areas. I aim to empower both men and women to be advocates for menstrual health in their communities.

MBD: Why did you choose Mash Central?

TCC: I chose Mash Central because it’s a community close to my heart, with many facing the same challenges I observed growing up. The lack of resources and information there, is particularly acute, and I believe that by starting in Mash Central, I can make a significant impact and create a model that can be replicated in other similar communities.

MBD: Is this a once-off thing or an ongoing project?

TCC: This initiative is an ongoing project. I plan to continuously engage with the community, provide education, distribute menstrual products, and advocate for systemic changes that support menstrual health. My long-term vision is to establish sustainable programs that empower local leaders and educators to continue this important work.

MBD: Anything else you may share?

TCC: I would like to emphasize the importance of community involvement and education in breaking down the myths and stigmas associated with menstruation. I am also working on partnering with local and international organizations to amplify our efforts and bring more resources to the communities in need. Menstrual health is just the beginning; I hope this initiative will pave the way for broader health and educational improvements in rural areas. At Next Generation Capacity Building Space we aim to create a world where every young person thrives mentally, socially, economically, empowered with the knowledge and resources to overcome challenges and build a sustainable future.

MBD: Thank you for time Tatenda.

TCC: You are welcome and I thank you for giving me space to share my vision on this worthy cause.

Zim hopes to benefit from US$600 million cervical cancer fund

**Dr Bente Mikkelsen and Dr Douglas Mombeshora-pic WHO Zimbabwe**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Zimbabwe is hoping to be one of the countries set to benefit from US$600 million which global health funders have pledged for the elimination of cervical cancer.

The money is meant for increasing vaccination, screening and treatment of the disease, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports is the fourth most common cancer in women globally.

WHO further reports that there were around 660 000 new cases and around 350 000 deaths in 2022 owing to the disease.

During her recent visit to Zimbabwe along with her colleagues from WHO headquarters, Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director NCD (at WHO Headquarters), said if everything is put in place, the country could benefit from this cervical cancer initiative.

“So we are very happy, this is the first time since the cervical cancer elimination initiative was launched by Dr Tedros (Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General), that many partners come together. So until now, the funding partners were only focusing on more or less on the vaccination.

“So now everybody realised that we have to do at least two things at the same time, we need to vaccinate, we need to screen and treat the early stages and of course we need to offer treatment.

“So I’m very happy this is a good sign, it’s a game changer but as I have said this is not money we can call on just like this, we need to present cases, we need to work with the partners, we need to make World Bank, the Global Fund, the Gates, all these partners, USAID, coming together and they have realized this commitment.

“So this is why I’m here as well, I was invited by the Honourable Minister (Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora), we were both in Colombia (at the Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum), so we are trying to make this happen in Zimbabwe,” said Dr Mikkelsen.

Dr Mikkelsen added that the pledged US$600 million is a lot of money which would go a long way in fighting cervical cancer but countries had to apply for it.

“It’s not money that we can just grab, we need to apply for it, we need to show what we need, so that we have a shopping list of what we need and this is also something that we would want to help you. There are a lot of partners, and I think we can support Zimbabwe to get use on some of these new pledges but also maybe to make the partnerships more efficient,” she added.

Dr Mombeshora said getting global health funders make such a pledge would go a long way in eliminating cervical cancer, as he also revealed that no county could work alone on this fight, hence there is need to have partners.

“We work with partners, you can’t work in isolation, like the doctor (Dr Mikkelsen) said, we met in Colombia; and during that meeting, we came up with this issue of saying we need support and they said for us to be able to support you, we want to see, what is on the ground.

“That’s why we are also taking them to the rural area where the screening starts and the difficulties that are met there, then we can map a way forward.

“Like she said, we will come up with a document from this visit and we will be meeting again in Geneva in three weeks’ time and maybe come up with a concrete arrangement to say how do we move forward, what kind of support can we get from them,” said Dr Mombeshora.

He added, “she mentioned now that there is a fund that has been established of US$600 million, we want to tap into that, so that we can also get equipment, get training so that we strengthen our cervical cancer elimination plan, so that’s the way we are heading to.”

It is reported that while cervical cancer is preventable and treatable, Zimbabwe continues to lose 2 000 women to the disease every, hence there is need for more consented efforts to fight this disease.

And it is also estimated that 3 000 new cases are diagnosed each year as the country is ranked fourth globally and in the region.

Zimbabwe introduced a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in 2018, achieving an impressive coverage rate of 89,7 percent in the first year of introduction.

The country also established screening programmes for early detection of cervical cancer, though the screening coverage remains low, with only 20 percent of the population accessing screening services as of 2019.

It is also reported that urban areas exhibited a screening rate as low as 3 percent, while rural areas saw slightly higher rates of 10 percent.

Screening programmes are available with over 200 sites conducting Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIAC) and 60 sites performing HPV tests for early detection.

“Inspire Inclusion: Combating HIV, Advancing Rights”

**Jane Kalweo – UNAIDS Country Director, Zimbabwe**

BY JANE KALWEO

The world is significantly off course in meeting the gender targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the current pace, it will take an estimated 300 years to eradicate child marriage, 140 years to achieve equal representation of women in positions of power and leadership in the workplace, and 47 years to attain equal representation in national parliaments.

As of December 2023, women’s representation in Zimbabwe’s Parliament stood at 34%, falling short of global targets on gender parity in legislative bodies. However, evidence has shown that when women lead, they contribute to more just, equitable, and inclusive societies. Women encounter numerous challenges when running for public office. Addressing legal and policy environments and other barriers that limit women’s political participation is crucial to leveling the playing field. To foster more just and equitable societies, we need to advance the agenda of proportional representation for men and women in parliament. Given that women face a disproportionate burden of HIV, women leadership would significantly contribute to legal and policy reforms that address gaps and barriers in the HIV continuum of care for women and children.

The global debt crisis and pandemics are reducing investment in education, health, and social protection, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Unequal access to education has left 122 million girls out of school, denying them lifesaving information on how to protect themselves from HIV. The unprecedented disruption to education during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated inequalities in access to education for girls. School closures and economic hardships increased the risk of child marriages as families sought to alleviate financial burdens. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 1174 cases of child marriages were recorded, and 4959 girls became pregnant.

The SDG of ending AIDS by 2030 is also at risk. Every week in 2022, 4000 adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 became infected with HIV globally, largely due to inequalities in accessing HIV services. When girls’ rights to education and empowerment are realized, their vulnerability to HIV is reduced. In Zimbabwe, HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women is more than three times higher than among their male counterparts. Many factors increase the vulnerability of girls and young women, including harmful gender norms such as gender-based violence, gender inequalities that exclude them from economic opportunities, and poverty. The Zimbabwean government, through the Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP) IV Addendum, has committed to reducing inequalities to less than 10% of women and girls experiencing gender-based inequalities and gender-based violence in efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Despite many challenges, women in Zimbabwe have been at the forefront of driving change and leading in the HIV response since the beginning of the pandemic. However, funding shortages, capacity gaps, and regulatory environments limit their ability to effectively contribute to the agenda of ending AIDS by 2030. There is a need for sustained investment in independent, autonomous feminist movements. Progress can only be sustained by putting power in the hands of those whose lives are most impacted by the denial of rights.

The health of young women and girls today is too often shaped by gender-based inequalities and gender-based violence, which increases the risk of HIV infection. One in three women worldwide experience sexual or gender-based violence. Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations affecting women in Zimbabwe. The ZDHS 2015 estimates that one in three women aged between 15 and 49 has experienced physical violence, and one in four women have experienced sexual violence. Addressing gender inequality and gender-based violence is critical to ending AIDS and accelerating progress towards achieving the SDGs.

UNAIDS Commends the Government of Zimbabwe for showing its commitment to ending gender-based violence through the 2023-2030 National Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. The strategy highlights priority areas for the country and outlines specific actions and strategies for the government and society in their efforts to prevent and respond to GBV in general, and violence against women and girls in particular.

Prevalence rates for child marriages in Zimbabwe remain unacceptably high. An estimated 34% of girls are married before reaching 18 years, and 5% before the age of 15. Ending child marriages and their devastating consequences on the health, development, and well-being of adolescent girls and young women is critical for the advancement of their human rights. The Zimbabwean government has committed to ending child marriages through the Marriages Act and has gazetted the Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Bill, 2024. These instruments criminalize the marriage and facilitation of marriage of anyone under the age of 18.

To protect women and girls’ economic and social rights, there is a need to fully invest in women to achieve the 2030 SDGs. This investment is not just about financial resources; it’s about creating an environment where women and girls can thrive, free from violence and discrimination, and where they can realize their full potential.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, UNAIDS reiterates the need to empower women, combat HIV, advance rights, and position women at the center of HIV response, Human rights, and empowerment.

Spare a thought for women who use drugs

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

There is need to spare a thought for women who use drugs in Africa as they are disproportionately affected by several issues of society which leaves them more vulnerable, Tania Marumbwa, activist for the Community of People who Use Drugs in Zimbabwe has said.

Marumbwa revealed this during the recently International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) at the launch of the Harare Declaration by and for African Women who Use Drugs.

She said the obtaining situation was that African women who use drugs in Sub-Saharan Africa continue to experience inequality, violence, stigma, high exposure to HIV and discrimination from all sections of the society.

“Even where laws that protect them exist, the level of implementation is yet to reach the

desired level to adequately protect women who use drugs.

“It is therefore crucial that all relevant

stakeholders, governments, civil society organisations, and inter-governmental organizations come together in a coordinated fashion to increase the protection of the rights of these women.

“Women who use drugs in Africa have less social, psychological and economic support and are

more likely to have experienced traumatic events, such as sexual and physical assault and abuse

as children and/or adults and to be currently exposed to intimate partner violence.

“The experience of trauma can lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health problems and can also increase the risk of substance use,” said Marumbwa.

She added that women who use drugs are affected in several facets of life including having difficulties to find jobs, which they need so as to live better lives. Marumbwa further revealed that as a result of finding it difficult to get jobs, economic burdens are heavier for them.

“Vulnerability experienced by women who use drugs pushes them to susceptibility to HIV.

“Women who use drugs are likely to share their injecting paraphernalia with more people than

their male counterparts, trade sex for drugs and have difficulties in negotiating condom use

with sexual partners.

“Generally, women who trade sex are more likely to experience violence and many have limited power to engage in safe sex or safe injecting practices, placing them at an increased risk of infections.

“Women who use drugs face significant barriers to accessing both HIV and harm reduction services,” said Marumbwa.

Marumbwa however said not all hope is lost, as they made a clarion call to African governments and all stakeholders for women who use drugs to be protected.

Some of the recommendations include; “for women who have experienced or continue to experience intimate/ gender-based violence; trauma informed treatment are recommended.

“There is also a need to ensure high level collaboration between the health system, community systems and justice sector to address all sorts of violence against women who use drugs.

“Sexual Reproductive Health Rights services for women who use drugs should address their wide spectrum of needs. They include cervical cancer and sexually transmitted illness (STI) screening and treatment and contraception to avoid unwanted

pregnancy.

“Services for pregnant women should include gynecological/obstetric care and

medically assisted treatment (MAT) treatment in case of opioid dependence.

“Support for parenting, including skills development/mentoring is needed and address childcare provision concerns.

“Support women who use drugs in accessing harm reduction services in a manner that is stigma free and a way in which services are available and accessible to them.

“Efforts are required to counter stigma and discrimination faced by these women. A range of interventions should be made available including MAT, NSP, counseling among others.

“The growing number of incarcerated women who use drugs face unique challenges that prisons and jails aren’t equipped to address.

“This means that “incarceration should not ever be an option for women who use drugs unless for other reasons”.

“Incarceration also has devastating effects on the families of incarcerated women who use drugs as it leaves lasting negative impacts on their children, and causes financial instability for their families as in most cases they are the sole breadwinners,” she added.

Marumbwa added that there was need to deliver services to women who use drugs in environments that are gender responsive, welcoming, non-judgemental, supporting and physically and emotionally safe.

“Spaces that are inclusive and safe for trans women and sex workers are needed. Services should be holistic and comprehensive, promoting healthy connections to children, family members, significant others and the community.

“Ensure the participation of women who use drugs in policy and programme development.

“This will promote gender-responsive policies and programmes by introducing and expanding

services and policies that meet the needs of women who use drugs.

“The leadership of women who use drugs should be deliberately sought in PWUID led structures and in other structures created to meet the needs of PWUIDs.

“Deliberate attempts should be made to assist in empowering women who use drugs both

socially and economically.

“Women who use drugs led CSOs should be funded to create interventions that will adequately address the needs of women who use drugs.”

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