By Fungayi Sox
Shanduko Foundation recently hosted the For Women by Women Symposium in Harare under the theme Women surviving in the midst of adversities — an event which the organisers says “was meant to mold and encourage women to emancipate themselves as a means to fight gender-related discrimination in various spheres of life”
Shanduko Foundation is a youth-led organisation that provides empowerment, community development and advocacy on issues affecting young people.
Recent statistics reveal that each day, one in every three young women is affected by gender-related imbalances and this could be triggered by lack of guidance and mentorship in the business and entrepreneurial spheres. As such the symposium was attended by women from all walks of life with some men showing up in solidarity with the case for gender empowerment.
Karen Manzera, a young journalist and champion of women empowerment, shared an inspiring presentation titled Creating your own personal brand and her presentation was supported by the five-point planner which centred on finding one’s own passion, growing your social media footprint, knowing your desired industry and area of expertise, developing self-confidence as well as grooming and etiquette.
Respected author, marketer and entrepreneur, Audrey Chirenje delivered a keynote speech on business and entrepreneurship.
She encouraged young women to venture into business and reminded them that most men respected an empowered woman.
She highlighted the need to start small and shared practical lessons on how young women can build sustainable business model which can withstand the murky economic terrains of Zimbabwe.
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Anabel Nyamhunga, a survivor of gender-based violence narrated her emotional ordeal, which left attendants motivated to stand up against scourge and also shared how she survived and escaped from what had become a continuous chain of trauma.
She said her experience had inspired her to be an advocate for other women who find themselves in similar situations.
Nyamhunga urged men to be active in the fight against gender-based violence and help their fellow brothers who may be perpetrators.
One of the event organisers Melody Ofisi of Shanduko Foundation stated that: “The journey of achieving an equitable world in which men and women co-exist without any problems may be far-fetched” and added that with the support of men, it was very possible to achieve gender equity and empowerment of women in all facets of life.
She added: “They hoped that the Women for Women Symposium would be the starting point of a multi-dimensional approach towards empowering the girl child, women and ending all forms of gender-based violence”
- Fungayi Sox is the managing consultant of TisuMazwi Consultancy. He writes in his personal capacity. For feedback contact him on 0776 030 949 or connect with him on LinkedIn on Fungayi Antony Sox.
