Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust is collaborating with our partner, Peace Direct, to raise crucial funds for 60 Women Peace Champions, who are working to prevent violence against women in the rural community of Hurungwe, Zimbabwe.
Fig 1: Envision Zimbabwe staff training community members
Women and girls in Zimbabwe face a myriad of challenges that include gender-based violence, domestic abuse, sexual and reproductive health and menstrual hygiene issues. Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust is collaborating with our partner, Peace Direct, to raise crucial funds and awareness for 60 Women Peace Champions, who are working to prevent violence against women in the rural community of Hurungwe, Zimbabwe.
We recognise that peace is not built through training and education alone. For peace to last, we need practical resources. This partnership between Peace Direct and Envision Zimbabwe is to raise funds for the practical necessities which will enable Women Peace Champions to be there for their community. Peace Champions need access to safe, reliable transport, safety equipment and physical pamphlets – for a community with limited access to electricity, local authorities or online support.
This is a shared appeal between Peace Direct and Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust, with all proceeds being equally shared to support the Women Peace Champions in Zimbabwe, as well as Peace Direct’s efforts to support local peacebuilding around the world.
JOIN THE PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO HAVE ALREADY DONATED TO PEACE IN ZIMBABWE.
Supporting Women Peace Champions
We are selecting 60 women from these peace committees to be official Peace Champions in the community, who will lead the way to promote and champion women-powered peace.
The community has shared that they find women both approachable and nurturing in dealing with conflict matters. Additionally, in traditional Zimbabwean society, women don’t usually play a leading role in communities. This work will give women the platform to be leaders in their community and empower other women to be more aware of their rights. As trusted and local community members, these women are ideal Peace Champions, and can conduct door-to-door visits with ease.
The Hurungwe District is rural, with homes spread several kilometres apart with limited access to electricity. Travel at night – when many cases of domestic violence occur – is difficult and unsafe, and during the day the heat and long distances to walk prove a challenge. Additionally, there is no police station in the area meaning it takes time to report serious incidents to the authorities, leaving community members vulnerably experiencing violence.
How will Peace Direct and Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust use my money?
Envision’s share of the appeal proceeds will be used to support all aspects of their work, with a focus on these items requested by the Women Peace Champions:
- Transport: We will ensure that 60 Women Peace Champions have access to safe transportation around the villages through provision of bicycles. Being able to reach areas that are affected by domestic conflict is crucial to eliminating violence and maintaining peace;
- Visibility of Women Peace Champions: We will provide branded uniforms and equipment to protect them from the heat as they travel between home visits. Identification via uniforms promotes their work better and makes them easily identifiable to community members seeking help;
- Safety and security of the Women Peace Champions: Given the lack of electricity, solar torches and whistles will help keep Peace Champions safe during their frequent night travel to homes where violence is taking place;
- Educational resources for the community: This is a rural district, with limited access to online support and no local police presence. As Women Peace Champions interact with the community, they can distribute pamphlets with key referral and support information for survivors of violence;
Peace Direct is proud to support local peacebuilders and want to ensure that funds can be used efficiently and effectively. The funding raised through this appeal will be flexible and free of the arduous red tape that typically delays international funding.
PLEASE, SUPPORT PEACEBUILDERS IN ZIMBABWE NOW.
If you’re able, please consider donating to this unique shared appeal between Peace Direct and Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust. With your support, we can help Women Peace Champions in Zimbabwe to lead the way in promoting a more peaceful and safe community for all, while Peace Direct continues their work to promote local approaches to ending violent conflict around the world.
Read more about Envision Zimbabwe Women’s Trust and follow their work below: