Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust (EZWT) is a registered local organisation operating in Zimbabwe. Registered under the notarial deed of Trust in 2009, the organization was founded by a diverse group of women, led by former Minister of Education, Dr Fay Chung, in August 2007 in response to the hyperinflationary meltdown of Zimbabwe’s economy and the widespread political violence in the build up to and aftermath of the 2008 elections.
EZWT has evolved over the last 12 years to reach more communities and transform the way conflict and development is dealt with in Zimbabwe by working with traditional leaders, women, youth and faith-based organisations. Today, we work across four administrative wards in Murewa and Hurungwe districts, in Mashonaland East and West provinces, expanding our activities each year to reach more people across the Northern region. In 2019, 1,600 people in Zimbabwe participated in our projects.
We understand the nexus between development, conflict and security and we work from the premise that all change and development involves conflict caused by a shift in the power dynamics within communities and between genders. Our development projects utilise conflict transformation techniques to address some of the long-standing challenges that primarily women and girls have been facing in Zimbabwe.
At the heart of our work is the belief that peace, equality, justice and development can be achieved in Zimbabwe, and every individual has a part to play. As a women’s organisation, we know that solutions to violent conflict and sustainable development will only be possible if women and girls are at the centre of change, not as victims and passive beneficiaries but as active players and leaders.
Who we are
We are a small team of five full-time staff, based in Harare, and 70 volunteers working with communities in Hurungwe, Murewa and Mbare. We take a community-driven, collaborative approach based on pressing issues identified by the communities we work with.
Anyway Mutetwa, Executive Director
Anyway joined Envision in 2013, with eight years’ prior experience working in human rights, peacebuilding and development in Zimbabwe. Before joining Envision, Anyway worked in Programmes with the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO). He has an MA in Conflict, Security and Development from University of Sussex and Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Journalism and Media Studies from the National University of Science and Technology- Zimbabwe.
Contact: [email protected]
Sinikiwe (Nikki) Machanja, Project Officer
Nikki is the Project Officer in charge of all programmes. She joined the organisation at its inception in 2009 and has managed and implemented a number of community projects. Nikki is a dedicated local peacebuilder and champion of women’s rights, having done conflict transformation work with the security sector and Traditional leaders, and work to prevent violence against women and girls in communities. She has an honour’s degree in Sociology and Gender Development Studies.
Contact: [email protected]
Esther Shoniwa, Finance Officer
Esther manages all of the finances at Envision, providing support with internal finance systems and processes including budget tracking on projects. She works closely with donor partners on disbursement, budgets and financial reporting. She graduated from the Institute of Business and Accounting Studies with a Higher Diploma 2015, and has 15 years’ experience working in finance and administration in the NGO sector.
Contact: [email protected]
Diana Patel, Director for Programmes and Resource Mobilisation
Diana was a founding member of Envision and a Board Member until 2020 when she stepped down to become a member of staff. Before joining Envision, Diana worked for twelve years as Deputy Director of the Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID). A sociologist with a passion for development, she has a BA (Hons) and MPhil and taught for 35 years at the University of Zimbabwe.
Contact: [email protected]
Neo Sharlene Gugwe Shurugwe, Project Assistant
Neo joined the Envision team in 2021. Prior to joining Envision, she interned with Childline Zimbabwe, providing psychosocial support to vulnerable children and their families and facilitating community engagement for SPHR and child rights. She graduated with a BA Hons degree in Social Work from Bindura University of Science Education. A good communicator, she supports Nikki in Envision’s community project work.
Contact: [email protected]
Our board
Our board is currently comprised of seven leading women in Zimbabwe, with backgrounds in a range of professions including human rights law, government, education and public health.
Duduzile Ndawana (Chairperson)
Dr. Fay Chung
Professor Rudo Gaidzanwa
Caroline Makoni
Lorem Rona Mugadza
Stembile Mpofu
Eugenia Mpande
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