EUROPEAN Union (EU)-funded horticultural projects have improved women’s livelihoods in the Mbire and Guruve rural communities, a recent NewsDay visit to the area revealed.
The projects have also helped to reduce cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in Mashonaland Central province districts.
Through the Spotlight Initiative programme, the EU in partnership with the United Nations (UN) Women provided funding to gender activists for self-help projects such as poultry farming.
The projects started in 2019, and were implemented by the Lower Guruve Development Association (LGDA), a community-based organisation, which promotes the rights of marginalised women and children in Mashonaland Central province.
Under the initiative, beneficiaries of start-ups received training on GBV.
Spotlight Initiative start-ups of US$500 were provided to groups of about 10 individuals who start projects such as poultry and goat rearing and pass them on to other groups.
Starting with only eight goats in 2020, one group now boasts of 80 goats.
“Our main aim is to ensure that we achieve a community where every woman can provide for herself and the family,” said Nelisha Machona of Mandaza village in Mbire district, the secretary of the goat rearing group.
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LGDA acting programmes coordinator Simbarashe Chirava said: “The successful projects have proved that there is a relationship between idleness and violence. Industrious women are less involved in violent activities.
“If they are managing the projects that bring them money, they won’t have time to argue or involve themselves in misunderstandings with other people. What is encouraging with the projects is that they are sustainable, as we have seen with the pass-on initiatives.”
UN Women media and communications specialist Innocent Katsande said the increased capacity for women to generate household income helped to solidify the gains achieved through gender champions training and awareness raising campaigns on GBV.
Since its launch, the Spotlight Initiative has supported 1,6 million women and girls across the globe.
