Breaking Barriers: ActionAid Zimbabwe Champions Women’s Rights and Economic Justice
By Elizabeth Kucherera
MANICALAND – ActionAid Zimbabwe (AAZ) is taking bold steps to empower women and marginalized communities through gender equality advocacy, economic justice, and feminist-driven initiatives.
This was highlighted by Ruvimbo Nhunhama, the Policy Manager Women’s Rights and Economic Justice at AAZ, during International Women’s Day (IWD) commemorations at Munyarari primary School under Manicaland Province last week.
Nhunhama emphasized the importance of collaboration between communities, civil society organizations, and policymakers to address structural inequalities that hinder women’s progress.
“Through feminist-driven advocacy and grassroots mobilization, AAZ continues to shape policies, build resilient communities, and challenge systems that perpetuate inequality in Zimbabwe,” said Nhunhama.
Women who have benefited from AAZ’s initiatives shared their experiences. Emmah Mutambiranwa, an advocate for Gender Rights under the Start Awareness Support Action (SASA) project in Nyazura, praised the organization for equipping women with crucial information on gender-based violence (GBV), agroecology, and their rights.
“Through SASA, women in my community now know the steps to take in cases of GBV and how to improve their livelihoods through sustainable farming,” said Mutambiranwa.
Erina Mhingiri from Hwedza echoed the same sentiments, saying the project has given women the confidence to fight for their rights without fear.
“Thanks to ActionAid, we now have the courage to stand firm against abuse. Fear of reporting has made many women lose hope, but with the knowledge we’ve gained, we are stronger,” Mhingiri stated.
Aside from GBV awareness, participants also learned sustainable farming techniques such as using natural fertilizers and organic pest control methods to enhance agricultural productivity.
Guest of honor, Monica Mutsvangwa, the Minister of Women Affairs Community,Small and Medium Enterprises Development , reaffirmed the government’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
“Our constitution guarantees equal rights for women and men. We have implemented various policies and programs to support this, but challenges remain,” said Mutsvangwa.
She acknowledged that despite these efforts, women and girls continue to face barriers, including limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
As ActionAid Zimbabwe and government stakeholders push for reforms, advocates urge more investment in gender-responsive policies to ensure women’s empowerment becomes a reality, not just a promise.
