HONORING WOMEN, SHAPING THE FUTUREHER VOICE, ,HER POWER ,HER STORY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTHHTTPS://SAVEOURENVIRONMENTTRUST.COM 1/SOETMARCH 2026 MAGAZINE TALKTO US +263 71 748 5521 +263 78 740 9986
HOW WOMEN ARE REDEFINING VOLUNTEERISM IN ZIMBABWEBy Cosmas Tendai NemutenziHe is a member of Save Our Environment Trust, Good Deeds D Day and Lains Volunteers (upcoming)4In the rural districts of Gokwe, under the shade of a tree, Lisa Gondongwe sits with a young mother. She speaks calmly about vaccines and child health. \"When I speak to a mother, I am not just talking about vaccines,\" Lisa explains. \"I am talking about her child's future. If she trusts me, she will come to the clinic. That trust is everything.\" Lisa is one of thousands of women across Zimbabwe who volunteer their time to help their communities. From village health workers to savings club leaders, from mentors to bakers, Zimbabwean women are the heartbeat of volunteerism in their neighborhoods. They walk long distances, share their skills, and lift others up all without expecting payment. Their work is transforming lives.Women Growing Food and Feeding FamiliesIn Masvingo Province, one of the driest and warmest parts of Zimbabwe, Sheila Mbiza leads a community garden with 53 women . Before Women and Land in Zimbabwe came to help, the women carried water in buckets from a river full of crocodiles. Now, they have drip irrigation and taps. They grow paprika, beans, vegetables, and even supply a nearby boarding school with fresh food.Sheila is also a mentor. \"I see other women being transformed through my role as a mentor,\" she says.\"I'm very happy that I can help other women so that our children can go to school and have food on thetable.\"Sheila's story shows how volunteering creates a ripple effect. Women who receive help go on to helpothers. The cycle continues.Women Baking Their Way to a Better FutureIn Chitungwiza, 30 women meet twice a weekto bake buns. They are part of Divine GraceBakery, started with support from UnitedWomen in Faith . The women learned to bake,then decided to focus on sweet rolls that arepopular with schoolchildren. Each day theybake 18 trays of 50 buns, selling eight for $1.People line up to buy them.Priscilla Kuture, over 70 years old and livingalone, says the project has changed her life.\"Sometimes people will be knocking at ourdoors wanting to buy the buns. This project hashelped me a lot; we are so happy and workinghard and it's keeping us busy.\"Women Helping WomenAcross All CommunitiesThe Indian Women's Association in Zimbabwe, made up of 60 women, has been involved in charity work since 1995 . They donate goods to orphanages, rehabilitation centers,and old people's homes. Their president, Shraddha Prajapati, explains their motivation simply: \"The Indian Women's Association is made up of mothers, and therefore it isnatural for them to reach out to children, women, and elderly people.\"This spirit of giving crossesall boundaries. Rosa CareOrganisation, a women ledgroup in Zimbabwe,supports orphans, peoplewith disabilities, andvulnerable adults. Theybegan as volunteers and nowreach over 500 people eachmonth . As their partners atCommunities for Nature say:\"Where women lead, changelasts.\"In conclusion the women ofZimbabwe are proving thatvolunteerism is not justabout giving time it is abouttransforming lives. Theywalk for hours to reach afamily in need. They save afew dollars to help a sisterstart a business. They shareknowledge so a mother canfeed her children. Theystand up and speak so theirvoices can be heard.Lisa\"The heart of change inZimbabwe beats in the handsand hearts of its womenvolunteers. Volunteerism iswhat LAINS is going to focuson.Women Leading in Their CommunitiesIn Zvimba, Councillor Denicah Makota has worked for years to empower women in her community . She organized Village Business Units and savings groups so women could earn income and pay school fees. She pushed for training in smart agriculture to help families grow food despite drought.The change has been remarkable. Women who were once silent now speak boldly at community meetings. Girls stay in school longer. Families eat better and when women began taking leadership roles in water committees and school boards, men noticed. One community member, Daina Mushayavanhu, put it this way: \"A woman with a voice is a woman who can make a difference.\"YOUR PARAGRAPH TEXT2
At the heart of the project are thriving small-scale gardening initiatives. In a region increasingly impacted byclimate change, these gardens are more than just plots of land; they are lifelines. Women are coming togetherto cultivate nutritious food for their families, utilizing sustainable water harvesting techniques to cope withunpredictable rains . These gardens not only improve household food security but also create surpluses thatcan be sold, generating a small but vital income.This Women’s Month, the spotlight falls on a quiet revolution taking place in the rural fields of Chiundura. Whilethe global narrative often focuses on high-level climate summits, the real work of building a sustainable future ishappening on the ground, led by rural women. In Ward 10 of Chiundura, the Hlanganisa Community Fund forSocial and Gender Justice is proving that when you invest in women, entire communities thrive.Operating in the villages of Mateza, Varozvi, and Mavheni, the Hlanganisa project is a practical example ofcommunity-based agricultural systems in action. It focuses on building resilient, food-secure communities byplacing women at the center of climate adaptation efforts .Building Knowledge: Capacity Building and TrainingThe Hlanganisa project understands that providing resources is not enough; lasting change requires knowledge.Regular capacity building trainings equip women with the skills they need to succeed. Drawing on the call forclimate-resilient farming, these sessions focus on practices rooted in agro ecology and indigenous knowledgesystems . Women learn how to improve soil health, conserve water, and diversify their crops, ensuring theirgardens remain productive even in the face of drought. This training transforms them from subsistence farmersinto confident agricultural managers.Community Sensitization: Spreading the MessageChange must be embraced by the whole community to be sustainable. That is why community sensitizationmeetings are a crucial part of the work in Mateza, Varozvi, and Mavheni. These gatherings serve as platforms todiscuss the challenges of climate change and the importance of women's leadership in overcoming them . Theyhelp to shift mindsets, ensuring that men and community leaders understand and support the vital role womenplay in building resilience.The work being done in Chiundura aligns perfectly with the Hlanganisa fund's mission to support women’s rightsand community-led programs . As one of the grassroots organizations supported by Hlanganisa acrossSouthern Africa, this project is a powerful reminder that environmental management starts with empoweredwomen .This Women's Month, the women of Mteza, Varozvi, and Mavheni are not waiting for solutions; they are buildingthem one garden, one training, one community meeting at a time.Cultivating Change: How the Hlanganisa Project is Empowering Women in Chiundura by C Gwatumba Small-Scale Gardening: A Seed of Hope3
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ACTION RIVERS BY E GWARIMBO The day is observed globally on the 15th of March raising awareness of rivers’ importanceThe theme “our rivers ourfuture\", highlights a strong linkbetween the health of rivers andthe survival, prosperity ofpresent and future generations .Rivers are the most valuablenatural resources on earth.Rivers provides life to humansand also the biodiversityRivers are increasingly under threatfrom human activities andenvironmental changes .Populationis the major threat . Human waste,illegal gold panning anddeforestation along river banks iscontaminating water bodies makingthem unsafe and harmful to aquaticlifeInternationally ,efforts are beingmade at different levels addressingthese challenges and protectingrivers .Awareness programs , riverclean up campaigns can help onriver protection .4
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH BY T MOYOCHALLENGES PERSISTINGHowever, despite this progress,significant challenges remain.Gender inequality is still evident inmany parts of the world. Womenoften face unequal pay, limitedaccess to resources, andunderrepresentation in decision -making positions. Gender -basedviolence continues to be a seriousissue, affecting the safety and wellbeing of millions. Cultural norms andsystemic barriers can further restrictopportunities for women and girls.Moving forward, achieving trueempowerment requires collectiveaction . Governments must implementpolicies that promote equality andprotect women’s rights.Organizations and businesses shouldcreate inclusive environments thatsupport women’s leadership andeconomic participation .Communities must challenge harmfulstereotypes and encourage girls topursue their ambitions. Individualsalso have a role to play bysupporting, mentoring, andadvocating for women in their dailylives.ThThe concept of empowering women goes beyondsimply acknowledging their rights. It involvescreating conditions where women have equalaccess to education, healthcare, employment,and leadership opportunities. Empowermentmeans giving women the tools, confidence, andfreedom to make decisions about their own lives.The United Nations has consistently emphasizedthat gender equality is essential for sustainabledevelopment, peace, and human dignity..In 2026 , women continue to shape the future inremarkable ways. Across politics, business, science,and social activism, women are leading change andchallenging traditional barriers. Leaders such asNgozi Okonjo-Iweala demonstrate how women areinfluencing global economic policies, while countlessothers at grassroots levels are transforming theircommunities. In Africa, including countries likeZimbabwe, women entrepreneurs and farmers areplaying a critical role in strengthening localeconomies and ensuring food security. Theircontributions highlight the importance of investing inwomen as agents of development .EMPOWERING WOMEN ,SHAPING THE FUTURE5
would like to express my sincere appreciation to the members of the Save Our Environment Trust for their out standing efforts in producing this magazine .The range of topics covered including safeguarding nature amidst conflict. Cop 30 reflection,G20 summit 2025 and the 99 summit, effectiveness under scores the significance of environmental awareness and community involvement .Your commitment and creativity in highlighting these issues are truly commendableWe invite everyone to engage with the Save Our Environment Trust .By joining us ,you become part of a dedicated community focused on preserving our planet and promoting sustainable practices. Whether participating in local events ,or simply sharing our mission ,every contribution matters .Together ,we can make a meaningful impact on our environment .Join us today and be the change you wish to see!K KEY PERSONALEDITOR:BETINA ZVOBGO CO.EDITOR:CYNTHIA GWATUMBADESIGN AND LAYOUT :BETINA & CYNTHIA PROGRAMES DIRECTOR :EDWIN MOYODISCLAIMERThe information ,opinions and views set out in this journal are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of Save Our Environment Trust or any of their partners .Rights to the photographs and articles remain with the photographers and the authors respectively .While all care has been taken during proofing ,errors and omissions may slip through and we sincerely apologies Salford & Co. 02-06-2029 Page 106