Women venture into Sculpture

Daphne Machiri Features Correspondent
The sight of a woman clanging and chopping at a huge stone to make the sculptural figures that the world has come to identify with Shona artistes present quite a spectacle. It used to be , and to be fair, still remains a preserve of males as no woman is yet to claim the plinth on which stands the likes of Dominic Benhura and Tapfuma Gutsa.

But Mrs Lizeni Nasho (45) is not only making a claim to fame but also showing the good results of empowerment of women in Zimbabwe.

She is now able to take care of her family, including sending her children to school, after facing serious financial challenges.

“I started sculpture in 2000 due to financial constraints following the untimely death of my husband. Since then I have been earning a living through sculpture, I value the critical role of women in society,” she said recently.

“Women need to be empowered in all spheres, especially those that are male-dominated. If not mistaken, I am the only woman in Mabvuku/Tafara who is into sculpture.

“My aim is to grow my business and later on to teach other women on how venture into this industry. As women, we need market linkages and be accorded flexible and attractive credit facilities in order to boost the sculpture industry,” she added.

In order to promote women’s empowerment and support Zimbabwe in achieving its national development goals, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development has established and implemented laws and policy frameworks that promote gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

Its mandate is to provide women with economic opportunities, and promulgate laws which prevent and discourage gender-based violence.

As such, different organisations such as the National Aids Council, churches and the United Nations are working hand-in-hand with the ministry in initiating a broad-based Women’s Economic Empowerment Framework to provide women with access to markets and micro- credits opportunities.

The ministry’s head for Harare Metropolitan Province, Mrs Thecla Madziwa, said Government will focus on empowering women economically and campaigns against gender-based violence.

“Women need to be empowered in every sector of the economy, especially those which are male-dominated women can do it as long they are given opportunities and their voices heard,” she said.

She added that the ministry is there to pave way and stand in as a pillar for women and the girls on issues to do with rape, physical, emotional and psychological abuse. She said such forms of abuse are at an alarming rate and in most instances the survivors are women and children, some of whom end up suffering from HIV and Aids.

She added that when empowered, women play a critical role in sustainable development and in the end their families, community and country at large benefit.

Zimbabwe has achieved a lot in terms of promoting gender and women empowerment. The Government, through the ministry, launched the 4Ps which are “prevention, protection, partnership and programming” in 2011.

All these call for zero tolerance on domestic violence as well as supporting 16 days against gender-based violence with a mandate to protect and campaign against all forms of abuse against women and men.

Mrs Madziwa added that abuse has to be disclosed, domestic violence is a public not private issue that needs attentions. Most women endure the pain of domestic violence because of the culture of silence. This must be totally removed to enable survivors to seek help in time in order to save lives.

‘‘Campaigns seeking to popularise the Domestic Violence Act will be launched, people should have knowledge on how to use the Act as well as going for counselling before situations get worse among themselves,” she said.

The fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 saw the Government drawing its own national plan of action for the implementation of its total commitment for full and equal participation of women in all spheres in life.

According to Women Affairs Gender and Community Development administrative officer for Harare Metropolitan Province, Junior Muchuchu, there is need for a paradigm shift, change and transformation on the issue of domestic violence in all communities.

“Do not use culture, myths and stereo types — women should be given a chance to show what they are made of, let us not be gender blinded. We need to look at all things with a gender lens, especially at churches they should partake and act upon and address issues of gender-based violence by offering counselling sessions.

“Women and children should be spiritually empowered to make their own decisions without concert of men,” she said.

This has seen the birth of women orientated business associations such as the women in brickmaking, kapenta fishing, sculpture, agriculture and mining, among other creative businesses.

Women Affairs Gender and Community Development Minister Cde Oppah Muchinguri recently urged women to claim their stake in mainstream economy.

“The Gender Commission will monitor the implementation of gender policies in all sectors of the economy, and in a few years’ time the major focus will be looking at 50:50 representation of women in decision making,” she said.

“Women should also be given access to micro-financing in order to empower them economically, there have to be a transformation from a significant player in the national psyche to a recognized sector with potential to equitable of financial services to the poor, vulnerable ,and those affected with HIV and AIDS in viable micro enterprises, empower enterprising women through financial access and skills and this drastically reduce poverty,” she added.

Government is playing its role through the Ministry of Women Affairs in empowering women economically, and stopping domestic violence, while at the same time working with other organisations like the Church (faith-based organisations) and National Aids Council.