Photo Cred: Zibusiso Moyo
By Nyasha B Dube, Zvishavane
Women in Sibombo village, Lupane district, say despite being empowered with land, they are struggling to utilize it and produce to their full potential because of the prolonged dry spells.
Speaking at a traditional leaders exchange visit organized by Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) under its “One world no hunger” projcect, Sibombo women hailed the women’s land rights program which they say have seen them being land owners for the first time in history.
Present at the exchange visit were also traditional leaders from Shurugwi and Mutasa where the same project is being implemented.
The women, however, said the harsh climatic conditions prevailing in the region have made it extremely difficult for them to utilize land to their full potential.
They appealed for responsible authorities to assist them in coming up with sustainable adaptation strategies as the burden of climate change is weighing heavily on them.
“We appeal for KAS and implementing partners to help us with dam construction projects or other means of getting water so that we can practice crop and livestock farming. We welcome the project as we are now land owners, and we would greatly appreciate in if we get more water sources in the village,” said one of the beneficiaries Getrude Gama.
Another young widow, Simelukufa Nyoni, gave the same sentiments said they look forward water generation interventions so they can be productive and fend for their families.
“If we get water we will able to produce enough for consumption and sale to take our kids to school, and even contribute to community development. Water will enable us to do everything, and instead of migrating to urban areas to look for employment we will produce from our homes and make our community a better place,” she said.
The One World No Hunger project was introduced in Lupane last year, in partnership with Lupane Youth for Development, in a bid to counter cultural practices which barred women from owning land.
The project has since been welcomed by traditional leaders in the area who are the custodians of land.
The major challenge has been the dry spells and Kalahari soils as a result of the area’s geographical location, as the area is prone to prolonged dry spells and extremely high temperatures and its women who always bear the brunt.
The gendered impacts of climate change include increased care giving responsibilities, little or no time for entrepreneurial ventures, increased income inequalities thereby worsening the already existing gender disparity.
Lupane District Development Coordinator Ennet Sithole said the district has great potential to become an industrial area because of the presence of gas, coal and solar energy.
“Despite the dry spells and poor soils, our area is blessed with natural resources, and women can be part of the industrialization process because they now have land and land is the basis of all wealth,” she said.
She also urged women to play an active part in economic production and contribute to the middle-income economy which they country thrives for and not limit themselves to unpaid care work.
Village Head Nkomo, who was hosting the exchange visit thanked traditional leaders for taking a leading role in women’s land rights advocacy.
“It is great to see this project being welcomed by traditional leaders, and I am happy to see women in leadership supporting and empowering fellow women. This is good for the development of our community.
He also called for more collaborations in spearheading water provision initiatives saying this will go a long way in increasing the impact of the KAS project.