In a landmark celebration of gender-responsive leadership, Bindura Municipality was crowned the winner of the Institute for Young Women’s Development (IYWD) Awards for Fostering Young Women’s Participation towards Gender-Responsive Social Services Delivery (GRSSD). The prestigious award was presented to His Worship Mayor Gwature and women from Bindura during the Local Government Learning and Exchange Lab (LGLEX) in Harare. This victory is more than just recognition; it reflects the impact of young women’s advocacy and engagement with the municipality. Through collective efforts, these young women raised their voices, mobilized their communities, and worked closely with municipal leaders to push for social services that truly meet the needs of women and girls. Their dedication demonstrates how collaboration and active participation can drive meaningful, lasting change.

Before 2017, Bindura Municipality had little female representation in leadership, with only one female councilor, and its streets told a story of neglect and insecurity. However, with IYWD’s intervention and its focus on transformative leadership and movement building, Bindura has undergone a remarkable shift. The municipality is now a shining example of how gender-sensitive governance can deliver real, tangible results for the community.

Councilor Chipo Musonza, one of the female leaders who benefited from IYWD’s training, remembers the uphill battle women faced in decision-making spaces. “We were few, and our voices were often unheard. But IYWD’s training and support empowered us to demand more representation and push for policies that benefit women and girls. Today, we have more women in top positions, and our municipality is a model for others.”

Bindura Municipality won first place at the awards for its responsiveness to women’s issues and commitment to inclusive decision-making. With three women in top leadership positions, the Town Clerk, Director of Finance, and Town Engineer, the municipality has ensured that women’s perspectives influence key platforms. These women play a critical role in shaping decisions, ensuring that the needs of women and girls are prioritized. Beyond leadership, the municipality has embraced open communication with its residents, employing a Public Relations Officer and leveraging tools like WhatsApp groups and community chat boards to gather feedback and keep the community informed. 

However, despite these achievements, young women remain concerned about the incomplete Garikai Bridge in Ward 3, which continues to hinder access to Chiwaridzo Phase 3. The situation particularly affects pregnant women, as transporters cannot reach the area, making it difficult for them to access health facilities.

This achievement is part of a broader movement across Zimbabwe, where young women are advocating for gender-responsive social services, including road rehabilitation and improved access to health services in six districts: Hwedza, Shamva, Gokwe, Mazowe, Guruve, and Bindura. Together, these collaborations have redefined what gender-responsive social services delivery looks like. In Hwedza, female village heads increased from 10 to 28, marking a major step toward gender equity in local governance. Shamva has taken bold measures to ensure every water point is managed by a woman, while in Gokwe, young women successfully pushed for the construction of a female-friendly toilet at the bus rank, which is now 80% complete.

In Zimbabwe, Bindura Municipality’s success is anchored in national and regional policy frameworks that prioritize gender equality in public service delivery. The National Gender Policy (2025) and Zimbabwe National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) emphasize gender-responsive budgeting, inclusive governance, and the participation of women in decision-making as critical enablers of sustainable development. These align with the Zimbabwe Gender Commission’s mandate to promote gender equality in all sectors, including local governance. By embracing these frameworks, the Bindura Municipality is demonstrating how gender-responsive leadership and social services delivery can transform communities, ensuring that no one,especially young women and women, is left behind.

Bindura Municipality’s progress  at the GRSSD Awards is a well-deserved recognition of its dedication to inclusive governance. As these success stories unfold, they showcase the power of IYWD’s strategic pillar of movement building and transformative leadership, proving that empowering women in decision-making roles is key to building safer, fairer, and more inclusive communities.