“I realise my potential and the power within me”

Shiellar Kwangwari, 52, is a single mother of two based in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. Trained as a Community Champion by Women’s Action Group, Sheillar gained more confidence and a greater understanding of issues impacting women in her community. She has passed on her learnings to other women and set up a number of groups to build a movement of women, working together to tackle the issues they’re facing.

“All these years, I didn’t realise that I have the power to influence change in my community as a woman. The training from WAG has made me realise my potential and the power within me. As a single woman who lives in a male dominated community, I would hesitate to speak out on issues affecting women due to fear of being judged. I am now more confident and I am influencing events in my community. The training has helped me to have a deeper understanding of the issues that are hindering women from participating in the social, economic and political spaces. Women in my community were dependent on their husbands. It was sad to note that after harvesting their yields, some men would disappear with money they got from selling their agricultural produce and squander it on beer and women whilst their wives were languishing in poverty. It really hurt me seeing other women suffering. I also realised that women were divided and were not speaking with one voice. After the training I gave feedback to the leaders in my community and went on to educate women in my community on leadership and women empowerment. I then devised a strategy which helped to bring women together since they have common problems.

I started forming several groups that are tackling the issues of gender-based violence that are affecting women in my community. To curb water challenges in my community, I have formed one group consisting of nine women who oversee issues of water. The group has so far mobilised resources to dig two water wells to ensure that women have easy access to clean drinking water.”

Shiellar also formed two garden groups consisting of 78 women. These groups are focusing on horticulture. They are farming and selling products such as carrots, butternuts, beans and vegetables. She also formed more groups on income generating projects including internal savings and lending groups made up of 48 women. These groups are helping women to be self-sufficient and are also helping to build a movement against gender-based violence, as issues of violence against women and girls, HIV and sexual and reproductive health rights are discussed during the group meetings.

“I have come to realise that there is power in numbers, and when people are working together, the task becomes easier and less time consuming. To promote good hygiene in the homes during this COVID-19, I introduced the kitchen competition. I am working with village health workers in my community to select the winners. We are going to use the income that we get from our projects to buy prizes for our winners.

Women in my community are now aware of their rights. Working together as women has promoted harmony and unity among women in my community. Women are now supporting each other in times of need. Women are now independent and they are no longer hesitant to take leadership positions. We have supported one woman who is now a ward secretary and we are looking forward to supporting more women who would want to take leadership positions. I believe that working together as a movement will go a long way in empowering women and making them realise their potential in leadership.”