Organisation Shields Women From GBV

Thirty-three women from Musana Communal lands in Bindura district graduated after completing an eight months training course on basic agriculture and business management courtesy of Talia Women Network in conjunction with the Zimbabwe Farmers Union last Friday.

They were capped by the Deputy Director Economic Planning from the office of the Provincial Development Coordinator, Mr. Levi Katambarare.

Speaking on the sidelines of the graduation, Saliwe Zakariya – Talia Women’s Network Director said the motive behind the training was to equip them with basic farming and business management skills as well as knowledge for the betterment of their lives and families.

“Before introducing this course, we have been coming to this community to disburse dignity kits to these ladies and their girl children. We however later discovered that what we were doing was not going to empower them in any way. In the event that we left for other areas they would not be able to afford the same sanitary pads and undergarments hence, we saw it fit to come up with a real project that would empower them for life.”

“We then decided to come up with the farming and business management training under our Street Business School model supported by Zimbabwe Farmers Union cognisant of businesses marketable here,” she said.

Zakariya said she was optimistic the skills were going to shield women from Gender Based Violence stemming from financial issues as they are now able to run and manage their own businesses.

“We even schooled them on means to raise funds; discouraging them from going for bank loans. Instead, they should get into cooperatives and start internal savings accounts,” she said.

Some of those who were trained and spoke to Nhau after the graduation testified that even levels of domestic violence arising from financial issues within their matrimonial homes had decreased.

“At least l no longer wait for my husband for everything, I am now an empowered woman who can also support him financially where I can.

“I have already started a poultry and rabbit project to supplement his income and contribute towards our children’s welfare, thanks to Talia,” said Beauty Muchenje, one of the programme’s beneficiaries.

Etwell Sakwe, another beneficiary said she was now confident that she can support her children even in the event that her husband is no more.

“They taught us the best life-saving skill one would ever want in life,” she said.

Talia Women’s Network is a local women rights advocating non-governmental organisation operating from Harare.

It dwells much on fighting for women and young girls’ rights.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Women Affairs together with its sister ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage through the police force is currently carrying out awareness campaigns against gender-based violence across the country as the world marks 16 Days of Activism against GBV.

GBV is rampant and more prevalent in Mashonaland Central province compared to any other province in the country, standing at 54 percent according to the UNFPA and Relief Web respectively. Nhau/Indaba