Plastic recycling empowers Kwekwe women

MORE than 60 women in Zibagwe Rural District Council Ward 2 have been trained in recycling plastic waste as part of Earth Day commemorations and efforts to empower women.

The event, which was spearheaded by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), saw women being taught how to make flower vases and other items from plastic waste.

Earth Day is an annual event that falls on April 22 and commemorations were held under the theme “Planet versus Plastic”.

Despite plastic waste disposal and recycling being traditionally undertaken by women as part of their domestic chores, plastic waste pollution continues to pose significant environmental problems.

Eco-innovations and eco-entrepreneurship can be developed through plastic waste management and the creation of long-term income-generating projects in communities.

Unlike organic material, most plastics are rarely consumed by bacteria and take hundreds of years to decompose.

The event also saw different stakeholders taking turns to rally against social ills such as drugs and substance abuse, child marriages and gender-based violence, among others.

WILPF Zimbabwe president, Ms Edwick Madzimure, said women were at the forefront of disposing plastic waste given their day-to-day household chores, hence they should play a leading role in protecting the environment through recycling.

She said the event was crucial because plastic pollution is contributing to environmental problems.

“The best way of dumping plastic waste is to recycle it. So, we are teaching these women how to make flower vases and other material used to decorate and beautify their homes. We are also empowering them with fundraising activities, so that they do not just sit on their laurels,” she said.

Ms Madzimure said plastic waste, particularly non-biodegradable plastic, has reached unprecedented levels in urban and rural centres.

“The improper disposal of plastic waste means that plastic will eventually find its way to water bodies and harm aqua life. The short useful life of plastic carrier bags and management infrastructure is limited in developing economies like Zimbabwe, which leads to poor waste management practices,” she said.

Ms Madzimure said the establishment of formal strategies for recycling waste can create more jobs and contribute to sustainable development.

Besides the women getting training on making plastic vases and flower pots, the activity also equipped them with proper recycling techniques.

“This training also creates economic opportunities for individuals. It helps individuals develop skills in eco-innovations and eco-entrepreneurship which can lead to the establishment of sustainable businesses in plastic waste management.

“They can pay school fees for their children to avoid drop-outs, which usually increases drugs and substance abuse, child marriages and other challenges.”

Women Affairs, Community Small to Medium Enterprises Development Kwekwe district officer, Mrs Patience Chideya, said child marriages were a hindrance to achieving gender equity.

“We cannot achieve gender equality and equity if we continue marrying off under-aged girls. We should let them go to school so that they follow their preferred paths in life. This programme, therefore, is coming as a fundraising project so that you will be able to take your children to school,” she said.

Mr Edmore Gomo from the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training said: “Most women are abusing these skin-lightening products which are very dangerous to the skin and the body. Let us encourage our children to desist from drugs and substance abuse which also leads to fuelled cases of child pregnancies and marriages,” he said.