Background
Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau (ZWB) is a national membership private voluntary organisation (NGO), that was formed in 1978, with the main goal of promoting, facilitating and supporting the achievement of socio-economic rights of women in Zimbabwe. ZWB is registered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare as a PVO (W.O.45/78) and has a membership of 25 000 across 35 districts of operation. Since its inception, it has adopted a pluralistic, participatory, sustainable and holistic approach to women’s empowerment and development. Through its programmes in agriculture and food security, entrepreneurship and business development, capacity strengthening, research, information dissemination as well as advocacy and lobbying. ZWB has contributed to policy changes and made a life changing positive impact to thousands of households around Zimbabwe. Some of the key issues they addressed at the very beginning include gender equality, adult literacy, food security, women economic instability through economic strengthening among others.
ZWB is a member of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO), Women Alliance of Business Association in Zimbabwe (WABAZ), Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), FEMNET, and La Via Campesina. It is a founding member of the Grassroots Women’s Network, a grouping of prominent PVOs that work with women in communities around Zimbabwe. The organisation contributes to its sustainability by offering a 250-person training centre, excellent accommodation and catering facilities in Hillside, Harare. ZWB has regional offices in Bulawayo.
Vision
A Zimbabwe in which all women are treated as equals, are empowered and their socio –economic and political rights are respected.
Mission
To improve the socio-economic and political status of women.
Brief description of ZWB work;
- ZWB empowers women through training, support in entrepreneurship, financial literacy and business development.
- Promotes sustainable agriculture, food security, climate change through support and trainings.
- Engages in lobbying and advocacy for women’s rights at the local, national and regional levels.
- Engages in research, awareness and information dissemination on issues of gender and women’s rights.
- Promotes adult literacy and HIV & AIDS awareness in communities.
- Grooms women champions in leaderships such that several of its members are national leaders and business owners.
- Enhances its sustainability by providing excellent and affordable conference, accommodation, catering facilities and shuttle for hire as well internal use.
Where does ZWB operate?
ZWB operates in 35 districts in all provinces of Zimbabwe. Below is a mapping of its areas of operation.
ZWB Programmes
Lobby, advocacy and information dissemination
- ZWB participates in national lobbying and advocacy for policy change and implementation as a member the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe.
- ZWB participated in the national constitution processes from 2009 to 2013 and disseminated information and awareness to its 13000 members and their communities.
- Currently ZWB is engaged in constitutional literacy at a national level.
- ZWB participated actively in the campaign for a Domestic Violence Act and is taking awareness of the act to communities.
- ZWB carries out research and documentation on issues that affect women.
Agriculture and food security
Supports small scale women farmers through capacity strengthening/building, seed and animal fairs, natural resources and environmental management, climate change awareness and adaptation, homestead development, food processing and value edition and support with agriculture inputs.
Entrepreneurship and business development
ZWB offers technical and business development to its members through;
- Financial literacy
- Community income savings and lending methodology
- Skills training for business development
- Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs)
Research and information dissemination
ZWB engages in research and information dissemination on gender and women’s rights, gender-based violence, conflict resolution, child protection and child marriages, and chronical illnesses such as HIV /AIDS and cancer.
Social capital
Networking, linking, adult literacy
Training and accommodation facilities
- Excellent accommodation facilities
- Excellent conference facilities
- Large scale inside and outside catering (contemporary and traditional cuisine).
Source: ZWB
