Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda is now based in Geneva as General Secretary of the Young Women’s Christian Association, where she has been at the helm for five years. She oversees development of leadership of women and girls for collective action towards peace, justice, human dignity and care for the environment.
YWCA is the daughter of the industrial revolution, which, from the mid-19th century started the movement of women and girls out of the home and rural areas and into factories throughout the Western world.
“I have always been involved and engaged in practical ways that provide support to communities, while also seeking to transform policies at all levels,” said Murehwa-born Gumbonzvanda.
“In my formative years the University of Zimbabwe I was involved with the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace. I was then around the table during the formation of the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, where I served as the first coordinator. That is where I started my activism in promoting women and children’s rights.”
She gives high recognition and respect to women’s organisations like Women’s Action Group, Women Law Students Association and YWCA, which created opportunities for her and other young people to be mentored on economic and social rights issues. Gumbonzvanda has had a telling involvement in the paradigm shift on African laws around women and property rights, especially inheritance and land rights.
“I was involved in negotiations and development of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People Rights on Women’s Rights in Africa, which was adopted in Maputo in 2003, in addition to the Great Lakes Protocol on Peace and Security. “I was also one of those who successfully advocated for the UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 1325 of 2000 on women, peace and security and the formation of UN Women, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly Resolution in 2010,” she said, emphasising that the pursuit of accountability by governments on human rights within global bodies was paramount.
Gumbonzvanda’s sterling work towards women and children saw her work on Zimbabwe’s report on human rights through the Universal Periodic Review Process and the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), mechanisms that exist within the Human Rights Council.
“I was quite humbled to win the Human Rights Defenders Award. I will continue to give my support to the efforts to advance women’s rights in Zimbabwe.” She also cherishes her role with the World YWCA, a global movement of 25 million women and girls in more than 120 countries providing leadership to advance the work on women’s health, and violence against women.
“We have created many opportunities for young women to be educated to be leaders in the organisation. In our country, the YWCA remains one of the community-based organisations providing services to needy communities through six vocational training centres. The YWCA of Zimbabwe has also been involved in the constitutional process advancing the issues of women and children.”
She rejoiced at the appointment of Sheila Matindike, General Secretary of the YWCA, to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
Gumbonzvanda also runs Rozaria Memorial Trust – an organisation founded in honour of her late mother. They have a programme in Murewa, providing access to education and treatment for children living with HIV in almost 36 villages. “We are working closely with five primary schools and three secondary schools, with an overall outreach of over 5,000 people. This work is gratifying for me as I serve as patron of the Magaya Former Students Association, as I seek to always give back to my country and my community,” said the human rights activist who contributes to the cause for social justice, through her participation in the boards of Action Aid International, Save the Children UK and CIVICUS.
With the world now more focused on promoting women and children, Gumbonzvanda seeks to continue advancing the cause of women and children, expanding the voice and impact of the World YWCA.
She also hints at returning to her communal area to grow Rozaria Memorial Trust and help the unsung heroines in villages around the country who are making significant change.
“My future remains focused on creating opportunities for young women and girls to have opportunities and know that another life is possible,” said the woman who drew inspiration from her late mother, Mbuya Rozaria Marumisa Dizha, who always emphasised the need for education, hard work, respect, prayer and unity.
Post published in: Politics