Empowering vulnerable communities: The Chesvingo Safe Market

The Chesvingo Safe Market, is a significant initiative under the Sustainable Enterprise Development of Women and Youth (SEDWAY) Project. It is a result of collaborative efforts of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Government of Zimbabwe, the ILO and the City of Masvingo.

Lauding the partnership, ILO Country Director, Philile Masuku said “Each partner brought unique strengths and resources to the table, demonstrating that when we work together, we can achieve remarkable outcomes.”

At the launch were Honourable Monica Mutsvangwa (Sen), the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, the Deputy Minister Honourable Jennifer Mhlanga, and the Permanent Secretary Dr Mavis Sibanda; Mr Ezra Chadzamira Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Masvingo Province; the Mayor of Masvingo Councillor Aleck Tabe, the AfDB Country Manager, Ms Moono Mupotola and the ILO Country Director for Zimbabwe and Namibia, Philile Masuku. The European Union was represented by the acting Head of Development Cooperation - Bernard de Schrevel.

This market is set to empower vulnerable groups, especially women and youth. It goes beyond being just a noble endeavour but “represents a significant step towards achieving our shared goals of inclusive growth, resilience, and sustainable development” – succinctly summarized by Mupotola; further pointing that “it is in direct alignment with the AfDB's Gender Strategy, Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy, and (our) overarching strategy for Addressing Fragility and Building Resilience.”

The Chesvingo Safe Market incorporates a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) One-stop Centre and an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECD) - offering layered services. The GBV One-stop Centre will provide refuge and support system to empower GBV survivors so that they look beyond the abuse and instil hope for a better future. The ECD centre will ensure that children are well cared for, allowing their mothers to concentrate on their businesses. The safe environment for their children means fewer worries about safety or childcare, leaving space for them to dream bigger.

In addition to offering a safe trading environment for the 80 women and youth traders, the market will become a meeting place for sharing of ideas, dreams taking root, livelihoods flourishing and engendering community cohesion. It becomes more than just stalls and transactions.

Other partners who will offer various expertise and support to the Centre include Masvingo Teachers College, Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Unit, Msasa Project and the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association.

As the guest of honour Minister Monica Mutsvangwa, whilst she commended the collaboration, she acknowledged persistent gender gaps and inequalities saying "challenges continue to bedevil the empowerment of women, socially and economically in our nations. These challenges include limited access to workspace, information, capital, markets, lack of strong networks, gender specific discrimination and stigma, socialization, and gender-based violence.” She urged the traders to take full advantage of opportunities offered by the market, unlock their potential, reduce youth unemployment and help in making the market a beacon of hope for the surrounding community.

© ILO

© ILO

This project is part of a programme of five other projects delivered through technical assistance under the Sustainable Enterprise Development for Women and Youth (SEDWAY) Project, 2022 – 2026, funded by the African Development Bank. The four-year programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprise Development; Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training; Ministry of Mines and Mining Development; Ministry of Finance and Investment Promotion; Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, as well as employers, workers and informal economy organizations.

SEDWAY is being implemented in the districts of Mutasa (Hauna) establishing a new horticulture plant; Mutoko upgrading of existing horticultural structures; building safe markets in Masvingo and Bulawayo; promoting sustainable mining practices in Hurungwe (Karoi) and improve dairy production and marketing for young farmers in Umguza.