Women Empowerment and Gender Related Programmes Implementation in Hurungwe District, Zimbabwe

Abstract

In this study, the researchers carried out an analysis on women empowerment and implementation of gender related programs in Hurungwe District, a rural community located in Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. A sample of 9 key informants and 12 group participants were selected using the convenience sampling technique. The researchers used the qualitative research design. Interviews and focus group discussions were used as a research instruments in the study. Findings revealed the community is facing a number of gender issues which include unfair distribution of agricultural inputs, lack of representation of women in decision making at local level, gender based violence and unfair cultural practices. To this end, the government departments in the district, led by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development have come with programmes to deal with these issues. These are carrying out awareness campaigns and empowerment programmes for women. To ensure the successful implementation of these programmes, women and men have been involved in these gender related programmes and a strategy to ensure that they participate has been crafted. The programmes also endeavour to ensure the equal access and control over resources. The researchers recommended that the programmes be fully sponsored, and a monitoring and evaluation mechanism must be put in place to ensure the success of the implementation of these gender related programmes.