By Fiona Ruzha
For decades, women farmers, especially in Zimbabwe, have shouldered the responsibility of feeding families and sustaining communities. Yet their labour has been undervalued and systematically written off from spaces where issues about agriculture, markets, and policies that directly affect their livelihoods are discussed or passed. Despite these barriers, women farmers in Mutoko District in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe, have made tremendous efforts to transform these dynamics by claiming visibility and fair treatment and demanding economic justice.
I vividly recall my first time visiting Mutoko three years ago, where I had the privilege to speak to several women farmers. I received quite interesting information about how they have struggled to penetrate the agriculture industry. They highlighted that they have been struggling to access land, irrigation facilities, and farming inputs. They also talked about how middlemen often paid them very little for the worth of their crops. They shared how they felt left out of agricultural committees and local policy discussions, which made it difficult for their voices to be heard and their issues to be acted upon (resolved). These conversations made it clear that while women were the driving force in local food production, they systematically faced persistent economic and social barriers that limited their power and independence.
As a result, an alliance of organisations joined efforts under the Partnership for Social Accountability Alliance (PSAA), a project aimed at promoting women and youth participation in agriculture. The project focused on providing sustainable farming practices, knowledge, and skills to enable women and youth to engage with key stakeholders and contribute meaningfully. Furthermore, the project went beyond training in smart agriculture; it supported women farmers in improving access to irrigation, organising collectively for market fairs, and strengthening their trading power for fair sales of their produce. Additionally, they were trained in leadership and advocacy skills, enabling them to participate in local agricultural committees and dialogue that directly affects their livelihoods, spaces where their voices had previously been absent. The media also played a key role in amplifying their voices in newspapers, community radio programs, national television, and community platforms. This contributed to holding the duty bearers accountable while inspiring other women farmers to engage in decision-making processes within and outside Mutoko.
Today, Mutoko’s agriculture sector largely involves women as the driving force, thanks to the intervention by partners under PSAA. One of the project beneficiaries, Marvelous Chimana (28) said:
“The program has not only empowered women, but it has made us a relevant stakeholder in the community. Why do I say so? You will notice that women were often neglected in agricultural programs li kePfumvudza/ Intwasa and with our involvement in this project, we have gained acceptance in all areas. Our contributions in decision-making platforms and in budgeting are now even being considered, though many youths and women are still shunning such meetings.”
Through the project, more than 800 farmers in Mutoko District, half of them women, have been trained, leading to significant changes. Many women reported that they could now participate in local agricultural meetings, budget consultations and voice their concerns, which was not possible before. Some women are now actively involved in irrigation committees, cooperative boards, and local agricultural extension planning, helping to shape decisions that affect farming practices and resource allocation in the community.
The project also strengthened collective action. Women farmers organised groups which became platforms for solidarity, sharing knowledge, supporting each other, and planning together for markets and policy engagements. Women leading these groups now influence policy to the extent that some of them were invited by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development for a policy dialogue engagement and the development of a Policy Brief.
One of the most tremendous outcomes was participation in the National Good Seed and Food Festival 2024. More women farmers from Mutoko District were able to attend and showcase products such as maize, groundnuts, and traditional grains, gaining recognition for their produce and skills. The media had the opportunity to highlight their achievements, inspiring other women and drawing attention from duty bearers and buyers. These successes show that with support, training, and collective action, women can transform their livelihoods and claim a strong voice in agriculture and community decision-making.
It also goes without saying that the project has helped women farmers to start sustainable farming projects, such as goat farming and rabbit projects, in an effort to diversify income gained from agriculture. Understanding how these mechanisms have helped and assisted women farmers, they can be tested in other districts and regions as practical ways to ensure gender equality in both the economic and political sectors.
Can we call this a successful intervention? How best can others copy this? All these questions can be better answered when we agree that our priority is to promote gender equality in all spheres. #PushForward4Equality