This article forms part of a shared public appeal to raise crucial funds and awareness for women-led peace in Zimbabwe.
25th November is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year, we are working with our partner, Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust, to help end violence against women and girls in rural Zimbabwe.
At Peace Direct, we believe that real, lasting peace must come from within communities. This is the work Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust do – they train women as peace champions in rural communities, to promote gender equality and advocate for women and girls’ rights.
Since British colonial rule in the 19th century, Zimbabwe has endured the lasting effects of conflict. Since gaining independence in 1980, political and social challenges persist. And violence against women and girls is a particularly critical issue.
In Zimbabwe today, 34% of girls are married before the age of 18 and even higher rates of women and girls face sexual or physical assault. During the COVID-19 lockdown, a Gender-based Violence (GBV) hotline in Zimbabwe recorded a 90% increase in calls. 94% of the callers were women. It is estimated that less than 40% of women who experience gender based violence (GBV) report it, making it even more vital that girls are supported from an early age to lead a life free from violence.
We are collaborating with Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust, to end violence against women and girls and build sustainable peace through supporting Women Peace Champions.
With less than 1% of the world’s aid being spent on ending violence against women, supporting Envision’s work directly is crucial. It centres the experiences, voices, and needs of women who are directly affected by violence and inequality. By creating a network of Women Peace Champions, Envision is building a foundation of resilience that challenges violence from within the community.
Donate today to help end violence against women in Zimbabwe and around the world.
Girls with access to education are less likely to experience child marriages and pregnancies. They also go on to lead more financially independent lives as women, where they can support themselves, their families and contribute to a healthy and peaceful community.
Education is a key element of Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust’s work. By conducting workshops and training sessions, Envision helps increase awareness about gender-based violence, the harmful consequences of child marriage, and the importance of gender equality.
Through training local Women Peace Champions, Envision fosters spaces where women can discuss their experiences, find support, and learn about their rights. These spaces are essential in rural communities where discussing such issues openly can be stigmatising or even dangerous.
Please support local peacebuilders protecting girls' rights in Zimbabwe and around the world.
“There was so much conflict in my home.” 
Shillar lives in the north of Zimbabwe. Education was difficult for her to access as a child. So as an adult, she struggled to build a livelihood for herself and her children. That was before she attended a series of ‘Building Bridges’ workshops run by Envision. They helped her secure income-generating loans to start her new vending business:
“As a woman and a mother, I have been uplifted because I no longer have to keep asking my husband for money.”
Due to the success of her business, Shillar has been able to fund the drilling of a borehole – providing her family and community with accessible, clean water. This has also allowed her to expand her business into fresh produce vending:
“I am now a source of respect in my community … This knowledge that I have is not just for me. I desire to see continued knowledge in the community as we feed off each other and our successes and grow as a community.”
Plaxedes is another woman who has benefited from support, education and loans through this programme. She shares how evident the positive impact has been on not only her life, but women and girls across the community:
“We have been assisted with the conflict training programmes…Peace Committee members who now mediate amongst us when there are disagreements in homes or the community…you now find that husbands are more respectful of their wives. There is a noted change around that aspect. The community is now more sociable towards one another.”
We are proud to be working with Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust this year to support Women Peace Champions in rural Zimbabwe. Join our efforts to end violence against women and girls in Zimbabwe around the world with a donation today.
