Women Economic Empowerment Evaluation

4-8 August 2014

Rosemary Cumanzala

Outline of the presentationGeographical locationBackground InformationBinga Women Economic Empowerment

projectsCollaborations and networks

Geographical location

Zubo was established in 2009; to promote the advancement of women and girl children in the Zambezi Valley. It was established after realisation of inadequate attention given to the issues that affect women and girls.

Main focus areas are - •Creation of space – Women’s Forums•Human rights, gender and HIV/AIDs awareness•Capacity building, lobby and advocacy•Commemorations and networking•Women economic empowerment

Objective oTo enhance women’s economic empowerment through increased access to and conservation of natural resources in the Zambezi Valley

Background Information

Binga Women Economic Empowerment Projects Since 2011 – to date; Zubo through support from UN Women has been implementing the following projects in Binga District•Revolving fund – Siachilaba Fish Market Traders•Production Unit (Kapenta Project) - fish farming of tilapia breams•Rural Women Village Savings and Lending Schemes•Crafts and market linkages• Utilization of other local plants (baobab and marula)

Revolving fund – Siachilaba Fish Market Traders (usd1800 – usd5000)

Soft loans to 60 fish traders at Siachilaba Fish market to enhance their business

Capacity building – confidence building, com., business management, record keeping, advocacy skills,

This led to participation of women traders in decision making processes at household levels (due owing financial resources)

Fish traders - paying fees for children, some bought household assets (radios, TV, solar panels etc) purchase food

One woman bought 2 cows and both are in her name and some traders bought goats & chicken

Traders are managing their project as businesses

Revolving fund results

Revolving fund resultsHut before revolving

fund2 roomed house

after

Kapenta project resultsZubo in collaboration with rural women with support from UN

Women broke new grounds in 2011 by venturing into male dominated space (1st of its kind)

The kapenta rig was specifically designed for women. The Production Unit (PU) has made usd62500 since inception

and has spent usd59000 In 2011-12 - average catch of 20bags/month; 2013 average 12

bags/mnth & 2014 average 15 bags per month and kapenta price range from usd150-usd180 per 30kg bags

PU have created employment at project site (employing males) & community (employing maids)

Women user friendlyKapenta rig

Kapenta results continuesInfluence decision making processes in their

households due to formal employmentPaying fees for children & meeting family basic

needs PU abide by the country’s legal laws as they use

fishing net (8mm) that do not catch small kapenta but allows small and young fish to breed and grow; only mature, big, quality kapenta is caught

Monthly allowance vary from usd90 to usd150 (seasons

The project is now diversifying to fish farming; site pegged and fish ponds digging in progress

Kapenta project results

Crafts and market fair Since inception, the project has reached 150

weavers in the Binga District 10 girls are benefiting from adding value to

the craft products and selling on behalf of the weavers

Income has been made at market fairs and women use the money to meet their basic needs including paying school fees

Crafts and market fairsThe weavers are making a range of products

- ilala handbags, purse, ear rings;Usd3980 has been made by Zubo and its

partners during market fairs (Zimbabwe market fairs, Zim International Trade Fair, UN WTO, Angola Trade Fair, USA Santa fair); and from 22-30 attending Ongwediva Trade Fair in Namibia

Confidence has been built in exhibitors and staff members during hosting of fairs

Crafts production & market linkages results

Village lending and saving scheme (VL&S)Pooling of financial resources together & venturing into

income generating project started in 2011 and has been on going

650 women benefited from the project with 61 groups. By end of 2012, usd14653 had been raised. Since 2013, there have been 48 functional groups.

Income generated during VSL has been largely spent on paying fees for the children & buying kitchen utensils and meeting basic needs at household level

Village saving and lending results

Village saving and lending continuesEating place

Microfinance and GBVFollowing a survey done in 2012; a

microfinance and gender based violence project was implemented.

Rise in GBV due to resources women owned in some wards.

Created male’s chapters in Binga district to support women’s forums on women’s right issues, economic empowerment

Rural women accessed funds for their economic empowerment projects

Economic Empowerment Result

Other local plants (baobab and marula)Rural women have been trained on pre and

post harvesting of marula; 150 women have harvested the nuts and ready to crush

Trained 3 groups of women’s forums on baobab projects. Currently working with Manjolo group

Group making usd10/day from sale of muyaaya (maheu in shona).

Money used to pay school fees for the children and some of the mahewu given to needy children in the community

Baobab and marula

Coordination and collaborationThrough trainings from UN Women, Zubo has

continued working with other stakeholders for rural women’s benefits.

These include among others Organic Africa, Kaite, Bio Innovation Zimbabwe, Hilfswerk Austria International, SNV, Kunzwana Women Association, Empretec, Government Ministries and so forth

Women development in Binga DistrictUN Women has nursed Zubo from inception to

dateStaff members as well as rural women have

been trained by UN Women. Today we celebrate what we are because of UN

WomenOne of our staff members, our Monitoring and

Evaluation Officer is ‘rubbing shoulders’ with Obama in America because of UN Women.

We thank UN Women and its partners for grooming Zubo and taking it to greater heights

Abbigal MuleyaStaff members flying Zubo, UN Women flag in America under the Young African Leadership Initiative (2014)

Zubo contactStand 459, Binga District, P O Box 119, Binga

Phone No: 015 515/366

Mobile 0773 283 429

Email: zubotrust@gmail.com

www.zubo.org

Thank you