A publication of the Young Women’s Voices Campaign

Contents N neka! Mother is supreme.

In this first issue of the Pepeta Newsletter, we celebrate the women who have made a
mark in our lives, in different ways, at different levels and stages of our lives. I grew up in a very
remote part of Zimbabwe, in what were the Tribal trust lands during the colonial period; a commu-
nity of small scale cotton farmers, a trade that has, in my opinion, led to their impoverishment. I have
warned my mother several times to just shun cotton farming that seems to just benefit foreign com-
what i couldn’t say until now 4 panies, who drive their haulage trucks every harvest season, to wait upon their prey; the cash starved
farmers who till the land and work tirelessly to ensure a good product for the market. These compa-
nies bring along credit schemes, cotton seed, fertilizer, and other farming inputs like chemicals.
For any comments and contributions to The Young Farmers, because they can hardly save enough to sustain themselves from one season to the
Women Voices Newsletter ‘Pepeta’ contact: other, are quick to give in. Besides, these are the same companies that buy their produce, so in a
way they feel rather indebted to them. In fact, the companies are aware that markets are inaccessi-
where the sun don’t shine 6 Young Women’s Leadership Initiative (YOWLI) ble due to the poor transport and communication networks. So the same companies will buy my
Email: yowlizim@yahoo.com mother’s cotton at 30cents per kilogram, hardly enough to match the cost of seed and chemicals. I
+263 913 588 234, have not started talking about the labour, the amount of time invested on this crop, and the fact that
my mother is asthmatic.
+263 912 978 880, And if I have not said it already, the women in my community use rags and Mopani leaves as sanitary
freedom from the tyranny of exces- +263 913 485 530 wear. They simply cannot afford to buy cotton wool. When not processed, the chemicals can be very
dangerous to one’s genitals. I am not trying to rule out the fact that there might be some young
sive fertility 8 women in Chenjiri, who may not be aware of the hazardous effects, or who may be aware, but may
not have much of a choice, and may actually be stashing a bit of this unprocessed product into
their panties whenever they have their monthly menses. I pray God not. They not only risk getting
caught (by the so called owners…because typically, women till the land, harvest the crop, queue at the
market…but they have no say over the produce, as they do not own the land). But the worst is…if the
chemicals are so bad when inhaled, the effects on one’s genitalia can be drastic.
picture essay 10 Enough about cotton and vaginas, and my emotions on the marketisation of our government. Govern-
ment is trying to woo investors to support the economic recovery efforts, and who cares if the farmers in
Chenjiri are impoverished and failing to even pay school fees for their children, despite their very pivotal
role in sustaining this same economy? If the investors are happy; We are all happy.
Sanyati is home for me. So despite the depressing issues of bad road networks, and people that reap
young women as agents of social Editorial Team where they did not sow, it is still home, a place where I learnt about being a girl, womanhood and more.
As a girl growing up kumusha there are specific roles I undertook under the strict hand of my mother. For
transformation 14 example, grinding corn (kukuya mumera) and winnowing (kupepeta) was the essence of womanhood.
I found it depressing because my brothers didn’t have to do it. But unfortunately for them, one holiday I
was fortunate enough to travel with vamaDube to the city, where my sister was teaching at a Secondary
school. There we ate bread watched television, and used taped water. At home, the boys, who could not
pepeta, found themselves sitting down to pick grain one by one, so they could get clean mealie meal,
interview 16 otherwise they were to endure sandy Sadza until the two women of the house came back. From
that time, everybody wanted to learn how to pepeta. And it happened.
Later on in life, I learnt that the women at ZTV, and the National Radio Stations were called
Vapepeti, meaning those who pepeta/ broadcasters. The term broadcast is associated, traditionally,
with the sowing of seeds on farms by scattering them over a wide area. This is what we hope to achieve
with this publication. Women are known to “Pepeta”. Pepeta or winnowing is the systematic throwing
phenomenal woman 18 Rudo Chigudu Theresa Matsvai Talent Jumo of grain into the air scattering the contents to separate the grain and blow the chaff away; this is the
essence of broadcasting, making women traditional broadcasters. In reclaiming our voices to enable our-
selves to speak out and scatter widely the seeds of courage, love and respect, we are being courageous
broadcasters in the field of information dissemination and knowledge creation. The young women of
Africa, have launched the Young Women Voices Campaign to ensure that voices are heard. Pepeta
word search 20 Africa.
Happy reading.
Talent.

success 21

Layout by SinosiDezigns
Editor’s Note
Cover Photo by Elliot Lucias
 I was raised to be a good girl, scared of being labeled  May I own every desire, wish and fantasy.
anything less, I held my breath and haven’t as yet  9%.-#8!(/2#(&:&;$-#$%&#;%!.;&-#8&#1)5&<#7=1#;%!!-­
fully exhaled into the bodacious young woman I am. ing to be more than just good or bad, but the kaleido­
scope of feelings caught in between.
I was never taught how to love my body and caress 
it’s hidden curvatures.

what i couldn’t say... ...until now I grew up learning how to cultivate an argument and 

win a debate without making him feel less manly. 
Girls that are too smart, go home alone.

I’ve often wondered what would happen if sex didn’t 
By Mazuba Haanyama stop at the throbbing release of a male ejaculation.

I 
want to write my story so boldly it bursts off unsus­ I learnt to use my mind for seduction yet longed 
pecting tongues into the laps of undeserving admir­ to sway my hip in that suggestive way I saw Halle 
ers. Berry do it on TV.

I listen to words of inspiration as they remind me  I wonder what it would be like, to not have to, moni­
!"#$%&#'(&#$%)$#*+(,-#.,$!#$%&#*&//0#*+$$!,#!"#10# tor my sexuality. My breasts could shape my chest in 
dreams. any way and the length of my legs would strut their 
stuff in freedom. Look at how the gloss of my skin 
There was a time when I thought I was radical,  makes your eyes linger.
but have learnt that one night left alone to ques­ The meeting of my thighs would no longer be a mys­
tion the norms of heterosexual relationships,  tery, to me especially.
just doesn’t qualify as radical enough.
Would I still be a good girl, the kind of girl you don’t 
We live in a world where to talk sex is to talk  f*** but take home to meet your parents. Hoping 
dirty.  they’ll see a wife in me and not that woman you just 
There is no in between.  took behind the bushes before we walked in.
We either prescribe ARV’s with fragrant­less 
condoms or whisper sweet nothings into our text  Will there be a time when a woman’s sexuality and 
about the unimaginable things you might do to  her mind’s f***ing brilliance are not mutually exclu­
him when given the chance.  sive elements of her being.
Never a conversation/always an electronic message  When I can speak of Foucault with the thoughts of a 
so the reality of the wanting may be hidden in the  boozy night, delirious hands in places they have not 
black berry. yet seen, bodies moving in darkness, walking home 
with the sunrise and the taste of you, then I will say 
But good girls don’t f***, haven’t you heard. yes, our world is changing.
Good girls like me cuddle and make love.
Heaven forbid we have an urge to undress, unrobe our dignity  When good and bad are no longer the opposite sides 
and get down and dirty. of pleasure and pain.
Good girls don’t lie in bed at night imagining the unspeakable. When I can want with every vibration of my body 
Good girls don’t touch themselves, their pleasure is held only in the  and be wanted openly and boldly, unapologetically, 
hands of legal lovers. then maybe we can say, the time for change is now. 
Good girls don’t question whether it was good or not, they wait for 
%.1#$!#',.-%#),2#3+//#+3#$%&.(#3),$.&-4#$%.,5.,64#7#8!,2&(#."#7#-%!+/2# I want to tell my story to anyone that will listen. This 
start with the bank tomorrow or go straight to the grocery store. struggle to be good and bad at once is tiring. 

May the time for change be now. 

4 5

where the sun don’t shine
By Mazuba Haanyama
S
he grew up in fear, fear of what might
happen if she looked away or if she
!"#$%&'&()*)'&+',*+&)-&'()*.'/$#01$02-
cant sounds and thuds became her warning
bells.
She learnt to decipher between the different
kinds of sounds. Each one representing a dif-
ferent emotion and verdict…
A loud crashing down sound, meant, she was
probably too late to help and the night would
end with her mother slipping into a child’s
single bed, hiding her sobbing.
3()'#-4560$17'+$)'&(48'"5&)*'&()'+&()*7'9)"$&'
things were just getting warmed up and she
should brace herself for more to come.
The one slap…silence….slap again! meant
he was just teasing her and it may not turn
into anything more, just the regular aggrava-
tion that had become the background noise of
their lives.
Have you ever heard the sound of a hand
#9"#(0$1'8+!$'"1"0$#&'6)#(:'/&%#';40-<7'=0<)'
"'6"#(7'>4&'?+4'-"$'()"*'&()'#&0$10$1'=+$1'
after the impact.
And to this day, when she hears something
falling or someone mindlessly bumping
into furniture, she holds her breath, for what
might come next.
She grew up in fear.
Her childhood memories are laced with anxiety and worry.
6 7
@))'()*',"*)$&#'4#)8'&+'21(&'"'=+&.'3("&%#'(+!'#()'
,4&'0&7'0$'()*'()"87'?)"(7'&()?'A4#&'4#)8'&+'21(&'"'
lot.
Her furthest memory dates back to age 5. She
was small, they were big but she thought if
she could disrupt it every time, maybe it
would stop, in time. She knew then that her
life wouldn’t be like those of her friends.
Bed time for them meant sweet dreams of
the video games they longed for or the ice
cream promised by the tinkle of the truck
down the lane. But when she went to bed
and closed her eyes, she couldn’t rest easy
because she had to be alert, just in case.
It was like a secret life the three of them had
created. Though she participated unwillingly,
she became part of the fabric that wove this
story into being.
They learnt to tip-toe around him. They learnt
to be observant of the indicators. If he walked in
and slammed the door, they should be on edge. She
even learnt to be scared of his good moods, cause they
could change in a second. Those were usually the worst
+5'&09)#.'B()$')C)*?&(0$1'#))9)8'2$)'"$8'&()$'#()'!+4=8'
say something or look at him in a way that he didn’t like and
that glimpse of joy they once had came crashing down.
She grew up in fear and she hasn’t been able to shake it off, properly that is.
Fear is insidious.
/&'9"<)#'?+4';4)#&0+$')C)*?&(0$1.
@()'1*)!'4,'0$'5)"*'"$8'$+!'#()'0#'=)"*$0$1'&+'=0C)'0$'9+*)'&("$'A4#&'"'=05)'8)2$)8'>?'5)"*.'@()'=+$1#'&+'-=+#)'
the doors to her memories, but they too have left scars on her fragile skin, reminding her that fear may never
go away.
Opinion
‘Freedom from the tyranny of excessive fertility’
By Matilda Lasseko
O
n realizing that someone somewhere is probably pondering on
why I have not popped out several if not at least one ‘mini-me’
the title of this piece came to mind. A phrase by DA Baird, I
2$8'0&'"'>)2&&0$1'+$)'&("&'#4--0$-&=?'8)#-*0>)8'9?'*)#,+$#).'
/=+>+="'!"#'*)-)$&=?',"08'5+*'9)7'!(0-('*);40*)8')D&*"+*80$"*?'9)"-
sures such as travels from South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province to the
shores of Nairobi, Kenya not to mention the meticulous yet creative
plans made to ensure the large sums of cash to be handed over arrived
in Kenya despite the South African airport restriction of R5000 cash
permissible for each passenger. This, to my friend’s surprise, without
the assurance that I am in fact capable of reproducing! Then the big
bomb: for some in the Southern Africa region, she informed me, it is
or should be custom for a woman to bear a child to prove her fertility
before marriage can be considered. The problem she described in a
very theatrical manner is so great that lovers have been forced apart…
“T’s true!” she screeched.
True or not, this revelation did not sit well with me for one main reason. I know that I have and opted to
exercise my fundamental human right to choose the number and timing of children that I will have. Every
!+9"$'#(+4=8.'/&'0#'"'25&('5*))8+97'+$)'+$'&()'#"9)'5++&0$1'"#'"$?'+&()*'#4-('"#'5*))8+9'+5')D,*)##0+$'
and freedom of movement. The reality of the matter is, however, that in order for one to be able to choose
to exercise this right one needs information. The power of information in contraception and family planning
choices is, ultimately, the make or break factor.
Young African women need to be able to experience the liberating feeling that comes with having options,
choices and more importantly, having control over these choices. Family planning is key in terms of preven-
tion of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion.
Unwanted pregnancies are the lead reason for the large number of unsafe abortions in the region. As of
August 2008, South Africa remained the only southern African country that allowed abortions without any
restrictions as to reason. This is one of many plausible explanations for the prevalence of unsafe and illegal
abortions in the region.
8 Southern Africa Litigation Centre based in Johannesburg
Ingestion of toxic solutions
such as turpentine, laundry bleach,
detergent and acid, ingestion of drugs such
"#';40$0$)'"$8'-(=+*+;40$)7'0$#)*&0$1'5+*)01$'+>A)-&#'
into the uterus such as a stick, knitting needle, lump health
of sugar, wire, coat hanger, ballpoint pen, bicycle gives
spoke and air blown in by a syringe or turkey blaster, them leeway
and use of trauma through abdominal or back mas- to make future
sages, lifting heavy weights and even jumping from plans and decisions
the top of stairs or roofs, are but some of the tradi- on realizing their dreams
tional methods used to conduct unsafe abortions as and ambitions. It creates the
08)$&02)8'>?'E*'EF'G*09)#'&+'8)9+$#&*"&)'&()'=)C)=' possibility of making plans with
of desperation in young women seeking these unsafe details on the when and the how.
abortions. This is my wish for the young African
woman. That she gets to exercise her right
/$#452-0)$&'<$+!=)81)'">+4&'-+$&*"-),&0C)'9)&(+8#' to know. Information in this context like in
and how to use them and fear of social disapproval many others has demonstrated that it is power.
are included as main reasons for the unmet need for
family planning and contraceptives based on surveys
"$8';4"=0&"&0C)'0$C)#&01"&0+$#.'H+&('&()#)'>"**0)*#7'
in my opinion, are a result of lack of proper infor-
mation. Social disapproval is inevitably founded on
lack of proper information because it is more often
than not premised on misconceptions and misinfor-
mation about family planning methods.
According to Engender Health, the process by
which an individual arrives at a decision about health
care is an informed choice when it is based upon
access to, and full understanding of all necessary in-
5+*9"&0+$'5*+9'&()'-=0)$&%#',)*#,)-&0C).'G+C)*$9)$&'
Ministries in partnership with non-governmental
organizations and donor agencies in Africa need to
work together to enable greater awareness of contra-
ceptive options which then empowers one to make
the best suited reproductive health decisions.
The information holders; the health care workers, the
pharmacists, the nurses and the doctors need to be
&*"0$)8'0$'"8);4"&)=?'&*"$#5)**0$1'4,'&+'8"&)'0$5+*9"-
tion that they possess on contraception and family
planning methods to the public. Only then will our
young women, our future leaders be said to hold the
future in their hands. Having proper information on
the choices they have regarding their reproductive
The author is the Right to Information Law Fellow at the
9
 T he message is clear, there is no substitute to women’s rights in the
development discourse, and especially when the world is commit-
ted to winning the war
against HIV & AIDS.
We demand that states May You
you, ng Afric
guarantee and protect Gate dear an vo
t
women’s rights. Vio- time s founda ree ensur ice:
that a and anal tion and e that the
lence against women, ll re yze e othe Bil
negative stereotypes, cumc sources b vidence o rs take th l
i n e
stigma and discrimi- procu sion can i eing pour the grou ir
wom rin nst ed nd
nation against marginalized groups such as sex en, a g HIV& ead be ch towards m , so
wish n d AI an a
!+*<)*#'"$8'IGH3/',)+,=)'!0=='+$=?'("9,)*'J/K' to be children DS drugs neled tow le cir-
that P c ircu o fA f or me ards
prevention efforts and impede access to treatment, reven mcised p frica. Ma n,
care and support missi tion of M ay for th ke those w
on pr o e
ogra ther to c services, ho
mme h ild t so
ened s can be s rans-
inste treng
ad. th-

Hleli’s wish- ‘May revolu-

tion be boyfriend’. May you
grant me the energy, strength and
courage to ensure that Africa
ceases to be the hub for all the

W
negative things: poverty, cor- omen’s vulnerability is
ruption, violence, AIDS… not intrinsic, patriarchy
renders women and girls vulner-
able as it assumes total control
over our bodies and sexuality.
Lobola, among other beliefs and
practices, fuels the oppression of
and violence against women, so
much that women still struggle to
negotiate condom use, and are vul-
nerable to sexual violence. Wom-
Amy’s wish: Dear wish- tree,
I pray for an HIV& AIDS cure! Mean-
while, may you inspire the powers that en often lack education, and access
be to always remember that there is no sci- to prevention information and ser-
ence for the rich which is different from vices, and when economically dis-
that for the poor…so they ensure patent- advantaged, are more likely to use
ing on HIV/AIDS drugs ARVs so that Africa transactional sex for their survival.
!""#$%&#'()*#+*,#$+(-.,*&#!+*#/",*#*01- Hence this struggle against HIV&
cient, less volatile medicines as it is F/E@'*);40*)#'#&"&)#'&+')$#4*)'&("&'
in the west! women can also access and attain
their socio-economic rights

The Young Women Voices Network members Amy

W omen’s Rights are human
Rights!

(DRC) and Hleli (Swaziland) under the wish tree at the

10 AIDS Conference in Vienna. 11
BLMFN'OF/N3/NGP'
Take me for just me
Accept all my differences
Here I am: WOMAN
--
Daryl A. Bloomberg
analysis
worlds’s richest and the world’s poorest. agents of change have started asking are, Is
there an alternative to capitalism? Is another

T
he young voices initiative offers space for
young women to critically analyze our
lived realities, articulate our needs and
aspirations, and take critical steps towards so-
cial transformation. We recognize with concern
that availability, accessibility and affordability
of basic needs such as healthcare, education in
Zimbabwe remain a difficult challenge, given
the economic crisis that has crippled the health-
care delivery system. Our generation inherits
a socio-economic order that is punctuated by
gross inequalities. Patriarchal hegemonies
overshadow our agency, and continue to undo
many of the gains that women achieved over
the past three decades.
Recently, the World Bank Group is reported to
have committed more than US$72 billion to the
developing countries, for the 2010 fiscal year,
as the world faces an uneven economic recov-
ery. It is pertinent to question aid effectiveness
given Africa’s past experiences with the Briton
Woods Institutions programmes such as the
SAPs whose effects were devastating to most
citizens, and specifically to women,
girls and children.
These powerful institu-
tions continue to per-
suade developing
nations; to accept
and adopt their
world possible? Modern intellectuals have
done well to produce hegemony by means of
ideological apparatuses such as education and
media, and to tame humanity into believing
that there is no alternative to capitalism. There
is need for a concerted attack on poverty that is
not purely based on capitalistic framework. The
current situation in Africa demands us to work
vigorously toward a transformed society, by
constantly searching for alternatives,
new ideas, new values, new signifi-
cances and experiences. Clearly,
capitalism has failed the
women, girls and children,
hence it becomes impera-
tive to groom a new layer

Young Women as The current socio-economic order presents a

threat to women’s rights. As right wing aca-
‘rescue’ plans. In
Zimbabwe, for
example, SAPs
of leadership, organic
intellectuals who shall
champion the search for

Agents of
demics and the media continue to engage in resulted the alternatives that foster
hegemonic discourse under globalization, it rolling back of equity and justice for all.
has become blatantly clear that the systems of the welfare state,
colonial and imperial patriarchal power contin-

Social
which accelerated
ues to define the realities within which we live the downward spi- by Talent Jumo
and struggle. International conventions and ral in key social indi-
systems that shape the policies and govern the cators, particularly

Transformation
world continue to be gender biased, trampling
on the rights and dignity of women and girls of
the economic South.
There still exists triumphalist rhetoric of global-
ization within the third world. Yet, under a free
market system, public resources are not mobi-
lized in favour of the people. In Africa for exam-
ple, Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs)
of the 90s emphasized market liberalization
and privatization, giving way to Transnational
Companies that continue to siphon resources
and profits out of Africa, to Europe. Meanwhile,
African countries continue to struggle with
debt payment. These and other initiatives have
wretched rather than heal our economies, and
account for the widening gap between the
in health and in educa-
tion. At the same time,
trade liberalization unleashed
competition that further depressed
the local economy. Today, turnaround of the
economy remains an elusive dream - unemploy-
ment and poverty continue to rise.
The IMF and World Bank liberalization policies
opened African economies to exploitation by
rich countries and multinationals, worsening
poverty levels and leaving the continent sad-
dled with a debt of more than USD300 billion.
SAPs promoted borderless economies where
governments were relegated to a little more
than transmission belts for global capitalism.
The SAPs, resulted in the short term destruc-
tion of the domestic industry and agriculture
in favour of foreign trade by creating an envi-
ronment where transnational companies could
assume positions of dominance.

In Search of Alternatives
14 The pertinent question that young women
15
interview the only choice one has is to start working in the mines or get involved in “marichos”, piece jobs in the 
neighboring farms. 

What possible development projects are in the pipeline for young women in the areas you 
targeting?

PROFILING
There is one project that we are looking forward to starting in Foothill, is green development. Since many 
organizations in the world are going green, we thought it would be a good idea to develop young women in a 
project that is green friendly; one example would be the establishment of greenhouses. 

Is Nyasha Sengayi a feminist?

young women’s initiatives!

@&-4#7#)1#2&',.$&/0#)#"&1.,.-$<#A%&,#7#8)-#.,#;!//&6&4#)$#GHI4#7#8)-#3)($#!"#)#;/+*#;)//&2#JK!+-&#!"#
Deborah”. The main focus of the club was life skills training and mentorship for girls at the university. It 
was then that I realized I wanted to pursue working with young women.

Interview with Nyasha Sengayi!"#$%&$'(()*"%+,-)$"'."/012 I am all about advancing the cause and needs of young women. I believe there are so many unexplored 

opportunities for young women and working at IYWD with women in mining communities has shown me 
just how creative and innovative these young women are. An example is of a young lady who was part of 
Name: Nyasha Sengayi the group that was coming to Harare for the Msasa project femicide campaign. She knew she wanted to look 
good but did not have the money to buy all the fancy make up. And so being the innovative young woman 
Age: 25 years she is she burnt a rubber band just a little and when it cooled down she used the black burnt side of the band 
as eyeliner. Looking at her no one would have guessed that the eyeliner she was wearing was actually a 
burnt rubber band. I was really challenged. That’s innovation in its purest sense. Feminists are always geared 
Organisation: Institute for Young Women Development (IYWD), Bindura Harare
$!#',2#)/$&(,)$.D&-L-$)($.,6#8.$%#$%&#D&(0#*)-.;#$%.,6-<
Position in Organisation: >(!6()11&-#?"';&( I also believe that we all hail from different backgrounds, but I believe as young feminists we should 
continue to cultivate and promote the culture of tolerance and respect for diversity. At the end of the day, 
How long have you worked at IYWD? feminism as a concept is about ensuring all human beings can enjoy unfettered access to their human rights.
7#-$)($&2#8!(5.,6#)$#7@AB#.,#C+,&#-!#7#)1#6/)2#$!#-)0#7#)1#',.-%.,6#10#-&;!,2#1!,$%#8.$%#$%&#
organisation. Any message to the women’s movement in Africa?
I want to challenge us all to come together and speak with one voice. Our efforts are scattered, we operate in 
Are you originally from Bindura? silos, compete for coverage..and that has hindered progress in many ways. And the powers that be continue 
No. But I am aware that development workers have been accused of driving in and out of communities and  to take advantage of these cracks to divide us. We need to challenge our governments to move from paper to 
implementing programmes without taking enough time to understand the people’s issues and lived realities.  practice. 
So I recently found accommodation in Bindura, and will be moving there permanently. I am a bit skeptical 
about the move though, small mining town, what to do for fun and entertainment and all my friends are in  Lets us open up the spaces we occupy so that many other women and girls can identify with the movement. 
Harare. As a young woman these are some of the issues I have to think about when relocating. But I am  We should always see to it that they have a full appreciation of linkages between our various struggles. Let’s 
willing to relocate because I believe it is important for me to immerse myself in that environment within  create personal relationships with the young women and girls who may not be as privileged as we are. We 
which I am working, so that I can understand better the lived realities of the young women from these  can easily maintain our support systems within and beyond our borders because we are lucky to have access 
communities. I think I have learnt so far that some things that may sound simple and trivial may actually  to Facebook, Yahoo, Skype and twitter, as well as the mobile phones. But there are sisters who need us even 
deepen young women’s vulnerability to all forms of abuse. Generally, young women have been acused of  more, and because letter writing is now frowned upon, still I feel that we should maintain it, preserve it…as 
being gold diggers who engage in transactional sex for cash, cars and cell phones…the triple C concept.  a way of promoting the culture of writing…and so that we remain in contact with them. 
But I am now convinced that the failure of our government to deliver for the people renders young people 
vulnerable. Some girls are in these relationships because they need money for exam fees, sanitary wear, and  For those of us in institutions such as NGOs,  I think there is a gap between projects we are implementing 
accommodation etc…their most basic needs. as young women’s organizations and the reality that the young girls are living. An example is that of 
negotiating for safe sex in a household. As facilitators we can talk till we are blue in the face about how 
Please give me some insight into your work with young women? to negotiate for safe sex but the reality back home is this young lady is still unable to talk to her partner. I 
I am very passionate about issues that affect young women. One of the programmes that we carried out, the  think that, although our focus is young women, it is also important to educate young men or even work in 
study circle which is my greatest passion took place in foothill, Trojan mine and Chiveso. This was a study  partnership with young men’s organizations on these issues so they are aware of the changes that are going 
to see the realities that young women are living and to note which possible areas we as an organization can  on around them and with their women and this way, issues such as negotiating for safe sex will not be 
meet the young women half way. The study circle was meant to identify gaps within the communities which  shunned but welcomed by young men.
IYWD can target. Young women in mining communities have limited choices, there is only one primary  Interviewed by: Theresa Matsvai
-;%!!/#),2#,!#-&;!,2)(0#-;%!!/4#-!#8%&,#0!+#',.-%#0!+(#6()2&#-&D&,#E."#0!+#)(&#)1!,6#$%&#/+;50#!,&-F#

16 17
phenomenal women Chipo Mukoriro is 18 years
old and lives in Goromonzi
About Hope Chigudu... rural with her parents.
She is the salt of the earth. She is painfully  Chipo is my name, am aged 18 and I live in Goromonzi, a rural
consistent in her existence. True to herself always.  settlement in Mashonaland East. I was born and bred in this
She has taught me the same thing that one must  area, and am happy to be still here living with my parents. Both
always stay true to who they are. And who you 
are is determined by you and no one else, what  of my parents earn their living from a traditional practice of
makes you happy today might make you sad  subsistence farming. Even though my parents have not been
tomorrow. This is a reality one must live with, a  able to offer much, we have had enough to keep us satisfied. My
reality that makes it easy to understand oneself  parents have inspired me to be a hard worker, and over the years
and other people.  I have adopted the tendency of working hard, not in the fields
only, but also with my school work. In my community, am one
She taught me to enjoy the morning, get a head  of the few girls who has managed to pass Ordinary Level with
start simply by enjoying the sunrise. I’m not  flying colors and proceeded to Advanced level at T.C Hardy High
asking you to wake up and work she always says,  School, my counter-parts look up to me now. This has made me
I’m asking you to wake up and listen. Listen to  a leader both at school, and in my community. The social-status I
the sunrise, listen to the earth, listen to the gentle 
morning breeze. Each one has a secret to tell  have assumed requires me to keep up-dated with current affairs.
about the day to come but if you miss it you might  I try hard to keep myself updated through reading newspaper,
!"#$%&'()*&%+'&,)!-#*#%&+$%&.($/)!#%0&12#&3!& magazines and watching television. As an Advanced Level
like that melody in your favorite song constantly  Hope Chigudu Economics pupil, I also help elderly people at our township to
ringing in your head with that soothing effect. interpret the business section when we receive newspapers
from Harare. This has made me a role model to younger girls.
12#&3!&4#$-5#&6)-&/+3*7&83$%&'#-&9*:0&;(<&!2#&6+5+$.#!& I hope and pray to be an Economist one day. My area of concern is
3-7&*#:+3$!&+&:'!-#*'0&;(<&%(#!&($#&9$%&+&!3!-#*&+$%&+&:(-2#*7&+&/*3#$%&+$%&.($9%+$-&+55&3$&($#& gender sensitive forecasting and planning, to eliminate poverty
"#*!($=&12#&3!&-2#&!()$%&>(3.#&(/&*#+!($7&!(&.+5:&+$%&!#*#$#&$#>#*&5((83$4&,)!-#*#%&(*&2)**3#%& that is common amongst females in my community. In my area,
but her hands work meticulously at whatever she touches to produce brilliance. She has inspired  most girls that would have passed Ordinary Level do not attend
me to be more than I imagined I could be. Reminded me that all that power and strength lies 
within me and all I need to do is tap into it. Advanced Level due to financial challenges. I believe women
in high positions of influence should create opportunities for
;(<&:+$'&"#("5#&-+8#&-3:#&()-&-(&-#+.2&'()&-2#&3:"(*-+$.#&(/&6#3$4&%#"#$%+65#&+$%& such less privileged girls. In most cases, these girls have ended-
trustworthy? The importance of giving your work everything you’ve got. Often she tells me  up relying on transactional sex for survival which sometimes
that the extra effort is important when working with people you know. ‘Never to take friends or  result in unwanted pregnancies and early marriages. In as much
relatives for granted, give their work all you’ve got.  as government is adopting policies to deal with this, women
should take a leading role in addressing these issues. Like they
She is a phenomenal woman, a pillar of strength. She taught me how to question everything.  say ‘educate a woman empower the nation’, I want to take it
Questioning the seemingly simple things like, who bestows power on those we perceive to have  upon myself to be a voice to the voiceless women concerning
it and who takes it away from those who we perceive to have none. Through the highs and lows  education and women’s empowerment issues.
(/&:'&53/#&!2#&2+!&6##$&.($!3!-#$-&!(&-(%+'&?&!"#+8&(/&2#*&+!&:'&/*3#$%7&:'&:(-2#*7&:'&.($9%+$-&
and not as the phenomenal feminist many others know her to be. She is a phenomenal woman in  My inspiration to speak out comes from such women as Oprah
the life of this young woman. My phenomenal woman. Winfrey, a strong and courageous television personality and
business woman. Her shows have been such an eye opener to
by Rudo Chigudu me at different capacities. Locally, I adore Amai Shingisai Siluma,
a musician and an educator. She is one of the few women
who have raised females’ flag high in a male dominated music
industry. I hope to meet these women in person one day. I believe
any woman can do what these two women have done if given a
chance and necessary resources. I am destined to do so and I will
work hard until I see my dream come to true.

18 19
puzzle

Know Your Body Word search
A B R E A S T X I S Success
How it works O V A R Y X N R O P
All the words below  F I A E I M O B O I
the puzzle are in the 
word search. Find the  W L Z G I T E R I S We all have one gift that is not different from the next person on this earth. The gift of life, it comes with
words either vertically,  conscience and instinct, innocence and greed, gratitude and faith, and finally it comes with success. We
horizontally, diagonally  A V G S I O E S W M
all define success in many ways: “how many people you bless is how you measure success”. But it’s not
upwards and downwards. Z A S L D N I S Y A
HAVE FUN much to ask for because if you say you shall put ten bricks on top of each other by Friday and its done
V O C N D M A T H N when Friday comes, then you will be playing in the playground of success.
Here’s how I better explain it, success moves smoothly with an open mind, willingness to give an ear
A C A C E R V I X E
to others, respects opinion and views from them, a desire not to enforce your will on others but rather
D A N I S B O V Z I appreciate what they want. Have a great deal of empathy i.e. always take time to see the other person’s
N B H D L A B I A Y view. The desire to search for solutions and not dwell on problems, a willingness to embrace the future
and not look back ,an ability to look for a positive outcome or opportunity in every situation, to make
the most of your day no matter what your situation is, a desire to help others when you can, a desire to
enjoy another person’s company no matter how different you may see things, not to expect others to help
you simply because you feel sorry for yourself, always take the initiative, be open to learning new and
exciting things, try something different, never give up, and always strive to be your best no matter what
your mood. Be the best woman you can be, be phenomenal.

Theresa

Words:
Cervix  Vagina      Uterus     Papsmear    Clitoris
Ovary  Vulva      Labia      Brain
Breast  Scan      Nipple      Cancer

20 21
 CALL FOR PROPOSALS 
Theme: 16 Days of Young Women’s Voices Campaign, 2010 
Deadline for Submission: 30 September 2010, Close of Business.  SOUTHERN AFRICAN YOUNG WOMEN’S FESTIVAL 
As part of its Young Women’s Voices Campaign 2010, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) is inviting young women’s networks, organisations 
and initiatives in Southern Africa to submit proposals for campaigns and activities during the 2010 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women. 
OSISA has always supported the 16 Days of Activism against “No Violence Against Women”, a global Campaign which runs from 25 November to 10 December 
________________________________________________________________ 
every year. The 2010 theme is !"#$%"$#&'()*(+,)-&.%&/(0&1.,.2("3&(4."&#'&%",).'()*(5,-,"6#,'7(6.8(+,)-&.%&(626,.'"(9)7&.(and OSISA seeks to support 
young women’s initiatives to speak about and put on the national agendas how the ideology of militarism affects them as young women.  Calling All Young Women in Southern African to 3 Days of Celebration! 
G./.$)(.-$.;#D)/+&-#),2#)$$.$+2&-#%)D&#3&(3&$+)$&2#)(1&2#;!,:.;$-#.,#!+(#(&6.!,4#&-3&;.)//0#.,#3)($-#!"#P,6!/)#),2#&)-$&(,#3)($-#!"#$%&#BQR4#),2#,!$S-!S)(1&2#
;!,:.;$-#),2#;(.-&-#.,#H8)T./),2#),2#U.1*)*8&<#9%&(&#.-#6&,&()//0#),#.,;(&)-&2#$&,2&,;0#$!#+-&#"!(;&4#;!&(;.!,#),2#D.!/&,;&#$!#&,"!(;&#),2#3(!$&;$#&;!,!1.;#),2#  
political interests, with negative repercussions especially on young women, who are doubly made vulnerable by their gender and age. In many countries rape of 
8!1&,#),2#6.(/-#%)-#*&&,#!,&#!"#$%&#!*D.!+-#1),."&-$)$.!,-#!"#1./.$)(.-$.;#)$$.$+2&-4#&-3&;.)//0#.,#;!,$&M$-#!"#;!,:.;$#),2#8)(<#
A%./&#$%&#1)N!(.$0#!"#H!+$%&(,#P"(.;),#;!+,$(.&-#)(&#,!$#2.(&;$/0#&,6)6&2#.,#)(1&2#;!,:.;$#V#&M;&3$#"!(#3)($-#!"#)#"&8#V#1./.$)(.-$.;#*&/.&"-#),2#.,:+&,;&-#)*!+,24# The Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) and the Youth Empowerment and Transformation 
and do affect young women in the relatively peaceful countries, as their governments often prioritise defence and purchase and sell of weapons, over social  Trust (YETT), in collaboration with young women’s networks and formations in Southern Africa, are hosting a 
-&(D.;&-#),2#&13/!01&,$#;(&)$.!,#"!(#0!+,6#8!1&,#),2#!$%&(#3!3+/)$.!,-<#W!(#.,-$),;&4#.$#.-#$(+&#$%)$#1!-$#;!+,$(.&-#.,#H!+$%&(,#P"(.;)#V#)-#&/-&8%&(&#!,#$%&#
;!,$.,&,$#V#.,D)(.)*/0#;!11.$#1!(&#(&-!+(;&-#!,#$%&.(#,)$.!,)/#*+26&$-#$!#2&"&,;&#),2#(&/)$&2#3!($"!/.!-4#)$#$%&#&M3&,-&#!"#%&)/$%#),2#K7X#),2#P7BH4#&2+;)$.!,4# Southern African Young Women’s Festival (SAYWF) in Harare from 24 to 28 October 2010. 
employment creation, (issues that are of most concern to young people generally, and young women in particular). In addition, militaristic beliefs have also driven 
governments to even commit resources to send troops, produce arms and weapons, and invest in the militaries of neighbouring and foreign nations; all in the name 
of solidarity and protecting regional or continental peace. This is a serious concern for young people who, as a result, lose their future, as opportunities for them to  The Festival is designed to provide space for young women between 18 and 30 years of age, to come together 
gain a meaningful education, protection from HIV and AIDS, economic and job security are seriously compromised.  and share experiences, share strategies and energise each other and celebrate their youth and the potential they 
OSISA seeks to support young women in Southern Africa to take advantage of the 16 Days Global Campaign to raise their voices and speak­out about these (and 
other violations of young women’s rights) in their respective countries and at regional levels. Support will be given to organisations/networks and initiatives led by  have to advocate for social justice in their respective communities. 
young women, or initiatives that focus on young women’s issues, and provide them with a platform to make their voices heard. 
Support will be given towards proposals that seek to cover a wide range of thematic issues, including: 
Activities at the festival will include panel discussions, talent shows, debate contests, inter­generational dialogue 
Articulating and raising awareness on the various manifestations of militarism and its impact on young women;  -&--.!,-4#$)/5#-%!8-4#1+-.;#),2#'/1#-%!8-#),2#1),0#!$%&(#&M;.$.,6#);$.D.$.&-<#9%&#3/)$"!(1#8.//#)/-!#1)5&#-3);&#
Demanding action and rolling back militarism and promoting a culture of democracy and non­violence and respect for women’s rights;  for structured training sessions on various key skills including ICTs and life skills, to equip young women with 
>(!N&;$-#$%)$#;!,-$(+;$#)#2.-;!+(-&#$%)$#;/)(.'&-#$%&#/.,5-#*&$8&&,#0!+,6#8!1&,=-#-&M+)/#),2#(&3(!2+;$.D&#%&)/$%#),2#(.6%$-#),2#K7X#),2#P7BH4#),2#&,-+(&#$%)$# the practical skills they need for effective advocacy for women’s rights. (please indicate the training sessions 
these issues are part of the core business of women’s movements; 
you would like to attend on the form below). The event is also designed to be a launching platform for the 16 
Initiatives that recognise and highlight economic violence and economic injustice that inevitably results from militarised States and nations;  Days national campaigns envisioned to be driven by young women across the region. OSISA and partners will be 
Innovative and creative interventions scaling up knowledge production, sharing and management efforts among young women’s networks within and across  funding these campaigns. 
countries; 

Efforts that ensure progressive law and constitutional reforms, for the advancement of young women’s rights;  The festival is organised to respond to the dire need for a safe space for young women in the region to share 
Creative and innovative ideas to highlight the impact of militarisation on education (including issues of targeting of schools for use for military purposes (both as 
their own experiences and learn from and encourage each other to engage in activism that transforms their 
bases as well as places of recruitment for child­soldiers and sex slaves)  communities. Youth­related spaces are often dominated by young men, and young women hardly have safe 
Projects that capture and articulate the violation of women , as is the case in countries such as DRC and others; and girls’ rights within countries experiencing  -3);&-#),2#3/)$"!(1-#!,#8%.;%#$!#-3&)5#)*!+$#.--+&-#$%)$#)""&;$#$%&1#-3&;.';)//0#)-#0!+,6#8!1&,<#@&$#8.$%#
)(1&2#;!,:.;$-#),2#;(.-&-#!"#6!D&(,),;&#),2#$%!-&#.,#$(),-.$.!,-#EH8)T./),24#P,6!/)4#BQR4#U.1*)*8&F4#),2#;(&)$.D&/0#;!1&#+3#8.$%#)2D!;);0#&""!($-#$!8)(2-#
alleviating the challenges young women face in such contexts; and  challenges such as increasing unemployment, HIV and AIDS and rising levels of poverty, young women are the 
Projects that seek to utilise media, especially new forms of media and communications technologies for social mobilisation and advocacy against militarism and 
worst affected. This Festival, which is envisaged to be a biannual event, will provide that much needed space for 
other forms of violation of young women’s rights. young women to engage on these and other issues. 
In addition to the above thematic focus requirements, support will also be given towards; 

Innovative ideas for coalition and movement­building across sectors and among all women and articulating young women’s rights gaps and concerns and making  Young women from Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia 
recommendations for addressing these;  and Zimbabwe are encouraged to apply to be part of this exciting event! OSISA and partners will cover the 
Structured exchange of experiences, lessons and strategies towards sustaining vibrancy within young women’s movements within and across countries;  full costs, including travel, accommodation, subsistence and training for all selected participants. To qualify, 
Efforts to mobilize and amplify young women’s voices in the women’s movements in the region, thereby reducing the generational gap between the young and  candidates should be between 18 and 30 years, working in organisations/networks and formations committed to 
older activists on the movement and amplify the calls for a young women’s rights agenda as part of the consolidation of democracy in the countries; 
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Initiatives to mobilize and engage young women in rural and farming communities and constituencies, so as to widen young women’s movement­bases; and  .--+&-#8.//#)/-!#*&#;!,-.2&(&2<#H&/&;$.!,#8.//#*&#!,#)#'(-$#;!1&#'(-$#-&(D&2#*)-.-O#
>(!N&;$-#$%)$#3(!1!$&#;(!--S-&;$!()/#2.)/!6+&#),2#-0,&(6.T.,6#)1!,6#$%&#0!+,6#8!1&,=-#1!D&1&,$-4#$!#1)M.1.T&#$%&#*&,&'$-#!"#$%&#!"$&,#/.1.$&2#(&-!+(;&-#
available for women’s rights programming.  For more information on this initiative and the Young Women’s Voices: 16 Days Campaigns, please contact: 
Who can apply?  Tsitsi Mukamba at tsitsim@osisa.org or Hilda Makamure hildam@yet.org.zw or youthnow@mweb.co.zw 
Organisations, networks and formations that focus on young women’s rights; initiatives led by and for young women; social justice formations/organisations with 
demonstrable work with young women. Only organisations from Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and  Or Phone: +27 11 5875000 or +27 836615600 (Tsitsi) 
Zimbabwe need apply. 
Project Funding 
Proposals should include detailed budgets of up to US$25,000. An organisation/network can only submit one proposal for this round of funding. Projects with  +2634747986 or +263712441032 (Hilda)
budgets exceeding US$25,000 will NOT be considered. 
The Best 3 Proposals will Receive Awards! (in addition to the requested grant) 
This “16 Days of Young Women Voices Campaign” is part of a broader OSISA Young Women’s Voices Campaign launched this year, which includes a two­week 
feminism course, a regional young women’s festival, a newsletter and blog among other activities. The 16 Days of Young Women’s Voices Campaign will be 
launched during the Southern African Young Women’s Festival scheduled for Harare in October 2010. Part of the Festival programme will be dedicated towards 
presentation of the selected top three 16 Days projects submitted by young women, as a way to motivate and encourage others. A panel of judges will select the 
qualifying 10 proposals in advance of the Festival, and announce the best three, and these will automatically be funded under this Fund. The other selected projects 
will also be funded, but will not receive awards. 
For more information on this Fund, please contact Tsitsi Mukamba at tsitsim@osisa.org or 
Or Phone: +27 11 5875000 or +27 836615600 (Tsitsi)

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 “The true essence of pure freedom is
hidden deep inside your heart, a heart
yearning to quench its thirst must go
through the worst with the conviction to
achieve the best through the voice of an
African woman”

Anonymous

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