Factors influencing women’s participation in community development projects in Zimbabwe: a case of Zvishavane women’s project in Midlands province

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the factors influencing women’s involvement in community development programs in Zimbabwe with regard to Zvishavane Women’s project in Midlands Province in Zimbabwe. The objective of the study was to establish the factors influencing women participation in community development projects. The adopted a mixed method approach employing a descriptive survey and phenomenological design research design. The population of study comprises of women registered with Zvishavane women’s project in Midlands province, Zimbabwe. The total number of women registered is 187, which comprise of 11 officials and 176 non-official members (Water Project in Zvishavane, 2017). The population of study was sampled to 126 respondents. The study targeted 126 respondents out of which 101 target respondents filled in and returned the questionnaire resulting in 80% response rate. The study concludes that educational achievement enhances women participation in community development projects; It also increased desire for betterment and development of the community and effectiveness in their advocacy role; limited financial resources limits women participation in community development projects due to family financial commitment and limited donor and government funding; culture limits women participation in community development projects due to gender stereotyping, conflicts at home, lack moral frameworks that would give women a strong say in community development matters and the fact that men are the main custodians of culture. Capacity building strengthens women participation in community development projects by strengthening institutions that communities need and by increasing the understanding of the project benefits and enhancing community ownership and establishing feedback mechanism. The research recommends that provisions should be created by a government for greater female and minority representation and to ensure such policies have been implemented so as to secure a place for woman in the community; Cultural issues surrounding gender and gender roles should be addressed. Issues of gender discrimination in education and marriage that derail women from acquiring a proper formal education should be addressed through better education policies. The less educated women population tends to care less about the betterment and development of the community. Their understanding on the needs of their communities and the possible solutions to these needs remain unknown to such women. It is therefore important for education reforms to be undertaken.