Lupane, Matobo residents empowered at gender summer school

Thembelihle Mhlanga

The South Western Region Gender Network (SWRGN) recently held a successful summer school for women and men from Lupane and Matobo districts in Zimbabwe. The event aimed to raise awareness and empower participants on various gender issues affecting their communities.

Prisca Dube, a renowned lawyer and human rights activist, facilitated the summer school, covering topics such as gender equality, women’s rights, domestic violence, sexual harassment, child marriage, and inheritance laws. Dube also engaged the participants in interactive sessions to discuss their experiences and challenges as women and men in their daily lives.

Participant Sunrise Moyo from Matobo district shared her appreciation for the informative and useful nature of the summer school. She mentioned that she learned to identify and address different forms of gender-based violence, as well as gaining knowledge about laws and policies protecting women’s rights.

Another participant, Village Head Ms Loveness Moyo from Lupane district, highlighted the social problems caused by the traditional brew “njengu beer,” including alcoholism, violence, and poverty. She expressed her intention to collaborate with her community to find sustainable livelihoods for women selling njengu beer and to educate about the dangers of excessive drinking.

SWRGN director Mrs Chelesile Nyathi expressed satisfaction with the summer school’s outcome and thanked the sponsor, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA), for making the event possible. SWRGN will continue to support the participants and organize more activities to promote gender justice and development in the region.

“We are very happy with the outcome of the summer school. We believe that the participants have gained valuable skills and knowledge that will enable them to become agents of change in their communities. We hope that they will share what they have learned with others, and inspire more people to join the movement for gender equality and empowerment,” said Mrs Nyathi.