Zimbabwe – Economic Justice, education, training and economic development in Goromonzi

Economic Justice with particular attention to Training, Education and Economic Development. This was carried out by Goromonzi Rural District Council. Training of Councillors, Participation of women and youths in community development to address gender disparities, Training of Stakeholders and Development Leaders. The project helped to alleviate the marginalisation of women on issues of development and correct the gender imbalances which exist within Goromonzi District.

The project was motivated by the challenges faced by the community, on getting individuals educated and uneducated to become empowered. The project is innovative because it is the first of its kind in the district and also because it tackled the root cause of the problems faced by women as they lacked representation in influential positions. Furthermore trainings of Traditional Leaders, Councillors, Teachers and Development leaders insured community buy in programmes.

The project is set out to create awareness of the importance of taking the input of women in decision making. This would go a long way in ensuring sustainable development and iron out the problem and issues of “nothing for us without us.” The project also sets out to foster community participation and educate the community on issues of gender equality and equity. This will be a way of creating a coordinated approach towards Project identification and Project Planning with the inclusion of female community leaders at the helm of the meetings.

The project has reached a total of 295 430 direct beneficiaries. The total budget to support this programme is $485 000. Selveira House contributed $5000 towards training of councillors, and the council towards that project managed to add a further $3000. The $482000 which council had budgeted to construct Clinics in Chinyika, Nyaure and Belmont, housing, new school at Dunstan currently under construction and for youth a Market Shelter at Bora Centre.

The main challenge has been the economic constraints which has crippled the organization financially. Funds to embark on projects has been limited which has caused the organization to fail to manage to fulfil their obligations. The solution has been to allow private plays and NGOs to fill this gap and 10 players in different fields of women empowerment, gender, economic projects, education and health.

Resistance to change the majority of political and community leaders are males which is a challenge since there are fewer women representation. Of the six chairpersons of committees only two are women and of the 25 wards five are headed by women. The majority are men thus in some cases the issues of gender affirmative action falls to deaf ears. This particular problem has not been overcome however with the massive training and advocacy more women should take up leadership roles.

Women have been given voices where they once did not have a say. The construction of the housing shelter, makes life easier for women. The project is gender biased towards women although it benefits the whole community. The same opportunities for men and women to both own property in the district have improved. There has been removal of restrictions which meant married women who needed approval by the husbands in form of marriage certificate apply for residential or business stands.

Frascica Jakauya, who is a head of Woman Affairs in the District, says “With women empowered there has been reduction of GBV cases in the district. Women and young girls who could not wait for the Council built Market Shelter to open as it was a development which could provide economic activities for a lot of unemployed, women and youths. Hearing the testimonies of women. Due to the grain distribution women by receiving agricultural inputs few would fail to sustain themselves.”

The patriarchal tendencies have reduced although there is room for improvement since the numbers are still few. The reduction in number of GBV cases has also indicated that there is an improvement in power relations. Furthermore financial constraints are among the leading cases of frustration leading to violence in homes. The training and its impact has shown the majority of women involved in economic activities and are supporting their husbands. This has caused a drastic change in abuse, be it verbal, physical and psychological due to community meetings carried out by Women Affairs.

The attitude change that has been noticed in Goromonzi District is generalized from the Community Leaders, Men and women also have managed to be receptive of the gospel of change which the Goromonzi Rural District Council has been preaching for equality in economic empowerment opportunities, participation of both men and women in developmental issues.

Women are now attending community gathering which have the role of project identification and planning rather which was not the case two years ago. Men are willing to be led by women leaders, The Head of Social services Committee is a women and The Head of Agriculture Committee is a women and the ideas they have put forward have not faced any resistance showing a certain level of respect and appreciation of their input in those positions.

Goromonzi Rural District Council as organization has taken a leaf from the observations, findings, experiences, hardship, conflicts, challenges and successes. Bottom up planning is the best way of planning as it manage to produce better results in that it had better community participation , enhanced community buy in to projects or initiatives as well as to increase the community ownership of projects in their District. Women are more cooperative and receptive to change than their male counterparts. Furthermore women empowering women means the whole family has been empowered.

Communication was a major cause of lack of community awareness of council programs thus a need to create effective communication tools. Civil Society Organisations and NGOs played a pivotal role in development and are key players which should be appreciated as they help compliment the Government efforts to improve the lively hood of Zimbabwean citizens thus a greater effort to maintain relations, improve communication channels between the Developmental partners and Council.