Young Women Leadership Development Alumni

•Chinhoyi University of Technology    •Mary Mount Teachers’ College

•Midlands State University                 •Mutare Teachers College  
                    
•University of Zimbabwe                    •Bindura University  

•Africa University

Chinhoyi University of Technology

• Encouraged and campaigned for women students to contest in SRC elections, which they did in good numbers: In 2004, 3 female students won posts in the SRC

• Helping women to fight sexual harassment and other means of gender oppression

• Successfully launched the Chinhoyi University of Technology Feminist Association club (CUTFA). Motto: Soaring towards visible change.

Mary Mount Teachers’ College

• Gender conscientisation and sensitisation workshops hosted at college

• Female students urged to participate in various leadership elections and positions

• Students sensitised on sexual health issues during workshops and talk shows

• Students and staff alumni lobby for curricular to be gender sensitive

• Voter education take place towards elections on campus

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Midlands State University

• Gender conscientization workshops hosted by the alumni and the Trust

• Sexual harassment policy and other gender related policies put in place on campus

• Gender information disseminated using various techniques that include talk shows, fliers, posters, speeches and beauty pageant.

• Feminist club formed and functional

• Women encouraged to contest for leadership positions both on campus and outside of it

• Successfully lobbied for more females to be accommodated on campus as they are more male hostels on campus thereby prejudicing the females of using the library until late

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Mutare Teachers College

As of end of November 2005, the activities that the alumni had carried out include:

• Establishment of the Women’s Action Fora

• Lobbying for a Gender Desk which has been set up

• Facilitating for the Forum to exhibit information on gender and leadership

• Supporting and guiding the members of the Forum in developing activities.

• Scheduled gender awareness workshops and training fulfilled for the year

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University of Zimbabwe

• The UZ Young Women Leadership Development was established by the alumni and their motto is Lift as you climb

• Talk shows and literature dissemination have been used to engage students in discussions on sexual harassment, sexual health issues and general student politics such that the group is now acting as a referral for Sexual Harassment and other Gender Based cases.

• Various workshops and training have been carried out by alumni and the Trust on campus

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At Bindura University, one alumnus was elected into the SRC soon after attending the Institute’s training.

At Africa University, the Counselling Advisor and alumnus, Mrs Rwodzi said of the Institute, “It has been a pleasure attending their training and workshops. I have learnt so much at the workshops, some skills that I impart to some students who come to me for counselling purposes. In my life I have learnt to evaluate myself and learn from my mistakes. The amount of impact the programme has on me is immeasurable. I wish the Trust all the best in its endeavours because I know they are fighting against the current in the communities that they visit because of deeply entrenched traditional values and norms.”

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Community Leadership Development Alumni

•Mudzi District                        •Mutoko District           

•Murehwa District                   •Zvishavane District      

•Matobo District

Mudzi District

• Women’s Day celebrations were held at Ward, District and Provincial levels.

• Women mobilising each other and are running income-generating projects such as sewing outfits and uniforms and doing some catering work.

• Awareness campaigns were being carried out at Ward and District gatherings.

• Leadership and self-development training in decision-making carried out

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Mutoko District

• Gender sensitisation workshops conducted.

• Alumni approached relevant authorities concerning the land issue and lobbied for more land to be allocated to women.

• Women have been encouraged to participate in governance issues particularly in politics where their numbers are still lagging behind.

• Workshops and training sessions have been hosted where issues of child and sexual abuse where addressed by experts.

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Murehwa District

• Conscientisation meetings were held with traditional leaders.

• Conscientisation workshops were held in 8 wards.

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Zvishavane District

• The Zvishavane Gender Platform was formed and is currently fully functional.

• The Mai Mujuru Housing Cooperative have been formed and running from strength to strength

• Personal empowerment workshops are occasionally being held and more women are being trained by The Women’s Trust

• Sensitisation on governance issues and HIV/AIDS issues of community and local leaders is taking place steadily

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Matobo District

• Training of more alumni and various workshops have been held within the district

• Gender conscientization efforts have been carried out within the district and its vicinity areas.

• The girl-child’s plight has been publicised during discussions at different fora in the district

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