Communities prepare gender advocacy action plans

Umzingwane and Insiza Districts community members, who were recently trained by Habakkuk Trust on gender advocacy have prepared advocacy action plans to tackle the issue of representation of women and youths in local development and decision making structures.

The two-day gender advocacy workshops conducted in Umzingwane Wards 5 and 9, as well as Insiza Wards 2 and 9, were meant to strengthen the community's knowledge and understanding of gender issues and how they can promote gender equality.   

A participant at a workshop conducted in Insiza Ward 15 said the workshop made them realised the gap that exists in their Ward in terms of gender equality.

"The workshop allowed us to look at gender in a different light and to fully understand its importance in our everyday lives," he said. "As an Action Team, we will prepare gender advocacy plans to tackle issues such as women's access to resources, ownership of property and active participation of women in meetings."

In Insiza Ward 2, women complained that they are denied opportunities to empower themselves once they get married even though they are educated and have certain skills they acquired before they got married. They said this has made most of them more dependent in men.

The Action Teams are yet to do advocate on gender equality in all facets of their society.