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Honoring the Legacy of Assistant District Development Coordinator (DDC)- Knowledge Mururi
We were deeply saddened by the passing of Assistant DDC Knowledge Mururi from Makonde District, Mashonaland West. A committed Male Ally under the S(HE) Matters Initiative, he worked with us in championing young women’s political and economic participation, inspiring village heads to open leadership spaces for women and valuing their ideas at every step. His
Shamiso’s Leadership Sparks Rights and Opportunities for Rural Women
In a world where leadership roles are still largely dominated by men, Shamiso Gotami has broken through deeply rooted gender norms to become a symbol of feminist leadership in Guruve District. Her journey is not just one of personal achievement, it’s a testament to the power of empowerment, feminist consciousness, and the impact of grassroots
Local Government Learning and Exchange Lab 2025: A Movement for Gender-Responsive Governance.
Young women across Zimbabwe are leading transformative change in their communities, moving from passive observers to active decision-makers shaping policies and local development. Through community-level training programs, young women and women have gained the confidence, skills, and knowledge to influence governance and demand Gender-Responsive Social Services Delivery (GRSSD). The impact was celebrated at the Local
Young Women Take Action Against Human-Wildlife Conflict in Kariba
Young women in Kariba are taking charge of their safety and leading community change. Following a community advocacy action organized by the Institute for Young Women’s Development (IYWD) on June 20, 2025 in partnership with Patsaka Trust, they launched a petition demanding urgent action to address human-wildlife conflict. Dividing into teams to collect signatures and
Panashe Gains Confidence and Leadership Skills, Inspiring Change in Her Community
In many communities across Zimbabwe, young women’s voices are often silenced by cultural norms, social expectations, and systemic exclusion. But through the strategic work of the Institute for Young Women’s Development (IYWD), these voices are beginning to rise, boldly, confidently, and with purpose. One such voice belongs to Panashe B. Tazviwana, a 24-year-old from Rimuka,
Bindura Young Women Drive Inclusion to Strengthen Gender-Responsive Health Services
Young women in Bindura are transforming healthcare governance through bold advocacy and hands-on engagement with leaders. They started by mobilizing peers and raising awareness about gaps in local health services, then held open dialogues with councillors, clinic staff, and municipal authorities to tackle challenges such as underfunding, poor service delivery, and the absence of gender-sensitive
Bindura Municipality Makes Strides Towards Young Women’s Inclusion to Promote Gender Responsive Services
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
Our Unions, Our Property, Our Rights: Why Zimbabwe’s New Marriage Law is a Game-Changer for Young Women
For generations, the story has been the same. A young woman builds a life, a home, and a family with her partner. She invests her time, her labour, and her love. But because their union was not registered under a specific law, when the relationship ends or her partner dies, she is treated like a
A Seat at the Table Isn’t Enough. It’s Time to Dismantle the Table.
At IYWD, we believe in “thinking otherwise.” We believe in challenging the very foundations of power that keep young women marginalized. So let’s talk about the women’s political quota—the 60 seats in Parliament reserved for women. On the surface, it looks like progress. And in 2013, it was. We celebrated as women’s representation in
My Belly Was Growing, But So Was My Future: The Law That’s Keeping Pregnant Girls in School
My name is not important. My story is. It’s the story of thousands of girls across Zimbabwe. I was 16, I was in school, and I was pregnant. For generations, that meant the end of everything. The school gates would close. The whispers would start. My future, once a bright, open road, would narrow to