Socio-economic development of rural women producers in Chirumanzu-Zivagwe and Shurugwi in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The rural women producers have been committed to creating and promoting socio-economic development despite the negative social, economic and cultural forces which militate against them. This study examined the impact of socio-economic development and empowerment programmes of rural women producers in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. The three objectives were to: (a) discover the activities used by rural women producers for empowerment and socioeconomic development, (b) examine the effectiveness of gender equality programmes for rural women producers under socio-economic hardships and (3) determine gender equality policies that empower, promote and dignify rural women producers for transformation. Thirty rural women producers were sampled for in-depth interviews. Ten representatives were sampled from government departments, international agencies, traditional leaders, the business community and church leaders were interviewed to represent. Mixed methods were used to collect data which included qualitative and quantitative techniques, questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and participant observations. The study established that rural women producers were overlooked in programming for socioeconomic development. This is happening against background of relentless droughts and socioeconomic turmoil impacting on rural women producers. The study concluded there is need for government to launch gender equality and empowerment policies to empower rural women producers in Zimbabwe.