Kunzwana is a non-governmental organisation concerned with economically empowering women who suffer extreme vulnerability. Since its inception in 1995 it has focused on women living in secluded and insular communities, such as former commercial farms and resettlement areas.
In an interview with The Zimbabwean, Wade castigated the media for focusing too much on politics at the detriment of economic progress.
“There is an overdose of news on politics and about politicians, which is overshadowing real issues that can boost the economy. Women’s efforts in realising income are considered to be insignificant. The media continues to portray a men’s world and is silent when it comes to the removal of stereotypes and stigma,” said Wade.
She said the media was relegating women to shop-floor labour while their male counterparts occupy supervisory positions, and urged journalists to pay more attention to the gender dimension of HIV/AIDS.
“Kunzwana would like the media to highlight non-formal education and practical skills training for unemployed rural women and youths as an important strategy in combating HIV/AIDS. “Programmes that demonstrate women’s confidence, as risk takers and forerunners should make headlines in the press, especially if among them are those infected with or affected by the virus. Once women have acquired skills, the media is critical in marketing these products so that those infected can continue to contribute to the economy,” she said.
The recent overall signs of macro-economic recovery in Zimbabwe had allowed Kunzwana to claim a formidable position as a development institution. “We have set up club networks of up to 30 women. Women establish their own governance system which includes Area Management to coordinate and communicate with the Field Officer on preferred economic programmes to be undertaken,” she said. Kunzwana trains women to be self-sufficient by giving them skills such as garment making, weaving, carpentry, welding, lotions and candle making, jewellery and shoe making. Women were also being equipped with knowledge on how to interact with sophisticated markets.
“This economic empowerment includes tailor-made business and management training in the use of multicurrency and exchange rates. Pricing, labelling and product care instructions are also part of the training. Kunzwana women are confident because they can operate in any market without fear. Some of them are taking their products to neighbouring countries, so it is necessary for us to equip them with all the necessary skills,” she said. Personal hygiene and health education are a focal point of Kunzwana’s activities. “We engage women to create awareness on maternal health, antenatal care, breast and cervix cancers as well as the prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS. Home-based care is mainstreamed as women are the primary care givers when a family member is terminally ill,” added Wade, who holds a PhD in Development Economics.
She is a senior development economist and NGO executive with solid experience in leadership and management, and provides advisory services to government, the international community and other stakeholders on a wide array of economic policy and programme management issues.
She has developed and managed a project portfolio worth more than $30 million across Africa.
Post published in: News