A youth and women empowerment programme
being implemented by the South West Region
Gender Network (SWRGN) is delivering tangible
change in Mzingwane communities, where
access to documentation, enterprise skills,
farming support and savings schemes is
enabling women and young people to break
cycles of dependency and poverty.
Documentation as a Foundation for Empowerment
At the centre of the programme is education on the
importance of documentation, a critical but often
overlooked barrier to women’s empowerment in rural
areas. Knowledge Ncube from Mzingwane Ward 6
said the training helped participants understand how
documents such as marriage certificates, livestock
records and business paperwork protect rights and
open economic opportunities.
“For many of us, we did not know that having a
marriage certificate is important because it secures
your future and protects you as a woman,” Ncube
said. She added that the programme challenged
long-held gender norms by teaching women that they
have the right and responsibility to own and docu
ment assets. “We were taught that as women, we
also need record-keeping books for cattle and cattle
cards. This was something we thought was only for
men, yet women also want to own cattle,” she said.
Knowledge Ncube
The emphasis on documentation has unlocked new
opportunities in the ward, with more residents now
able to register projects, open bank accounts and
formally manage income. “Because of this
programme, I can now apply for a bank account so
that when I run a business, I can keep my money
safely and properly,” Ncube said
“Beyond documentation, the SWRGN programme is
equipping young people with entrepreneurial skills
and a mindset aligned with the Sustainable Develop
ment Goals (SDGs), encouraging them to be proac
tive and self-reliant. Ncube’s story reflects this shift.”
Starting with just 50 chickens, she has grown her
poultry project to 200 birds, proving that small
beginnings can lead to sustainable growth. “My
business never stopped. This programme opened
our eyes and showed us that as young people we
cannot just sit idle,” she said.
Living in a rural area with limited exposure, Ncube
said the programme helped her recognise her own
potential. She has since diversified her income
streams and now produces detergents and floor
polish under the brand Nono’s Cobra. “I realised that
I have something of my own and I am making
money,” she said. Her message to other young
people is clear: “Even with as little as US$20, you
can start a business. What matters is not misusing
the money but growing it.