CONFRONTING EL NINO

Talent Gore

IN a bid to compliment Government’s efforts to strengthen the role of small holder farmers amid the El Niño climate-induced drought impacting the country, the Sprout Women Empowerment Trust (SWET) has launched a programme aimed at empowering women and girls in Chitungwiza peri-urban and Chiweshe rural areas.

With the support of IM Swedish, this initiative seeks to build resilience and sustainable livelihoods by focusing on trade, entrepreneurship, value addition, skills exchange and leadership training.

The programme has targeted 30 women from Chiweshe and Chitungwiza, aiming to increase their participation in trade, entrepreneurship and value addition activities.

Running from May to December 2024, the programme aligns with national, regional, and global commitments to address climate change and gender equality.

SWET director, Caroline Mutimbanyoka, stressed the importance of agricultural initiatives that empower communities to adapt and ensure food security in the face of climate-induced droughts.

She said there is need for collective action to complement government efforts, recognising that the impacts of El Niño have affected both rural and urban areas.

“As we confront climate-induced droughts, it’s imperative that we explore agricultural initiatives that empower communities to adapt and ensure food security for their families and survival.

“Our efforts extend beyond engaging rural women to also foster urban resilience,” said Mutimbanyoka.

The programme aims to equip women in Chitungwiza and Chiweshe with the necessary skills and knowledge to establish sustainable livelihoods and effectively address the challenges posed by climate change and the ongoing drought.

Recent training sessions covered vital business principles such as financial record-keeping, product diversification, strategic planning, and marketing strategies.

In Chiweshe, participants also learned about implementing ISO 22000 standards to enhance product quality and safety in their agricultural businesses.

SWET’s approach combines tangible interventions such as mushroom farming and horticulture programmes with critical conversations in the form of Conversation Cafes.

These spaces provide a platform for women to discuss gender-responsive public services, health challenges, and unpaid care work, aiming to drive action towards more equitable distribution of responsibilities and resources.