Participation as Transformation: Exploring the Dimensions of Women’s Empowerment in Developmental Projects in Kadoma, Zimbabwe
- January 23, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: IJRISS, Women Empowerment
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue XII, December 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Munyaradzi A. Dzvimbo1, Ngonidzashe Mutanana (Ph.D.)2, Tinashe M. Mashizha3, Monica Monga4
1 Regent Business College, South Africa
2 Women’s University in Africa, Zimbabwe
3Lower Guruve Development Association, Zimbabwe
4Kadoma City Council, Zimbabwe
Abstract: Women empowerment in developmental projects is gaining traction in recent times. The study sought to explore the dimensions of women’s empowerment in developmental projects in the city of Kadoma. To achieve this purpose, the study employed a qualitative methodological approach with use of primary and secondary data collection tools such as interviews, observations, focus group discussions and document review. Findings from the study reveal that for sustainable development to be achieved, women need to be empowered. However, the research unpacked challenges that women are facing, hindering them to full participation in community development projects, which is contributing to the further underdevelopment of Kadoma. Women have limited access to resources yet they have a load of domestic responsibilities and there is less will to uplift them and hand them primary roles in development activities. The paper concludes that involving women in developmental projects and handing them power to control resources has proved to be the best way to empower them. As such, stakeholders such as the Ministry of Women Affairs, civil society, and women empowerment interest groups must take the lead in pushing the women agenda in developments through policy frameworks and lobbing. Women’s perspectives must also be brought in the political access and the cultural systems and communities need to be trained before any development initiative is introduced.
Keywords: Community development, Developmental project, participation, women’s empowerment, Kadoma
Introduction
Women empowerment is one of the topical agendas across the world, as gender inequality is widespread in societies. Women and development issues have been on the world agenda since the United Nations organized the first women’s conference in Mexico, 1975 (Mbongori 2014). Since then, governments of different countries have and are still upholding the plague of empowering women so that they have equal access to opportunities enjoyed by their male counterparts. Development practitioners hold the view that women’s empowerment is a key element in poverty reduction across the globe (World Bank, 2012). The process ensures that women are given the chance to reach to their full potential, at the same time, enhancing them to reach their own capabilities. Consequently, women empowerment has significant implications for the rest of the household and evidence clearly shows that empowered women appear to have higher child survival rates, healthier and better fed children (Aboukhsaiwan 2014).
