– Below is an interview between Hildigard and CSRNZ as we continue to profile and appreciate the great work being done by our women in Zimbabwe during this International women Month.
CSRNZ: Can you kindly describe the work you do in your community?
HM: I work with rural women in the district of Lupane under Lupane Women’s Development Trust.
CSRNZ: What kind of empowerment work do you do?
HM: Our work is socio economic empowerment. In our organisation we realise that women have a greater role in the empowerment of women and strive to build confidence in women so they realise their role. Whilst we speak to women about women’s rights, we focus on women demanding their rights instead of waiting to be given their rights.
CSRNZ: What are your major focus areas?
HM: Our major focus is on empowering women economically so they can have assets in their names. We train women in making baskets and then link their work with the markets where they get a fair price. We help them maximise the economies of scale by working together and earning together.
CSRNZ: What are the returns like on the products Women make in Lupane
HM: With baskets making the women can realise an average earning of 150usd per month.
CSRNZ: How do you relate the 2022 IWM theme with what you intend to achieve with your work?
HM: When it comes to #Break the bias I believe rural women have faced the hardest discrimination and that our work not only puts them at par with women elsewhere but also champions diversity as they push for equality not only with men but with other women.
