By Funuel Marowa
Girls and young women in Chigombwe, Mutare, have been urged to take up leadership roles and participate in community decision-making through a project promoting equality and rights.
Shamwari Yemwanasikana, a non-governmental organisation that advances girls’ and women’s rights in Zimbabwe, led the engagements under the Diakonia-supported P.O.W.E.R. Project.
P.O.W.E.R. stands for People and Organizations Working for Equality and Rights.
The project seeks to address barriers that keep girls and young women out of leadership spaces, including limited access to dialogue platforms, lack of confidence and exclusion from decision-making in homes and communities.
It also equips girls and women with knowledge, leadership skills and advocacy tools to defend their rights and contribute to community development.
Shamwari Yemwanasikana engaged participants through two community platforms.
Dandaro Revasikana targeted girls aged 13 to 25, while Choto Chemadzimai focused on young women aged 26 to 35.
“The platforms created safe and inclusive spaces where participants discussed challenges affecting women and girls, shared personal experiences and explored community-based solutions,” said Shamwari Yemwanasikana, director Ekenia Chifamba.
Chifamba, who was one of the facilitators at the program, added that girls and young women need spaces that allow them to speak freely, build confidence and prepare for leadership.
“These platforms are important because they give girls and young women room to express themselves without fear,” one facilitator said. “When they gain confidence, they begin to participate in decisions that affect their lives and communities.”
The sessions included interactive discussions, mentorship and peer-learning activities.
Organisers encouraged participants to raise their voices, support one another and take part in community development processes.
Community leaders and stakeholders who attended the engagements welcomed the initiative, saying it responded to real challenges facing girls and young women in the area.
They said many girls and women still face limited access to leadership opportunities, a lack of safe spaces for dialogue and exclusion from decision-making structures.
“Many girls and young women have ideas, but they often lack platforms where people can listen to them,” one community leader said. “This project helps them build confidence, understand their rights and see themselves as leaders,” said counsellor Lloyd Sembo
Stakeholders also said the P.O.W.E.R. Project promoted inclusivity and strengthened community cohesion by bringing girls, young women and local leaders into the same conversation.
They said such platforms could help young women become active participants in family and community development.
Participants described the sessions as empowering.
One participant, Chido Rusere, said the engagements helped her believe in her ability to speak out and contribute to society.
“I now feel confident to share my views and take part in issues that affect my community,” she said. “This programme has given me courage and hope for a better future,” she said.
Through the P.O.W.E.R. Project, Shamwari Yemwanasikana said it will continue working with girls and young women to strengthen their leadership, participation and understanding of their rights.
Programmes Officer for Shamwari Yemwanasikana Patience Kaerezi said: “The initiative seeks to ensure that girls and young women do not remain on the margins of decisions that affect their lives, families and communities.”
