When Evernice Munando founded the Female Students Network Trust (FSNT) in 2005, it was almost unheard of for young women to be elected to Zimbabwe鈥檚 influential Student Unions, considered to be the training ground for the country鈥檚 future political leaders.
Evernice explains that sexual harassment and discrimination are the greatest challenges facing young women at universities in Zimbabwe.
Traditional gender norms and gender-based discrimination are still pervasive, especially in rural areas according to recent research carried out by FSNT and the Zimbabwe National Commission to UNESCO. Progressively though, there are signs that patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes keeping girls and women behind are beginning to shift in urban centers.
In 2019 FSNT, laureate of the UNESCO Prize for Girls鈥 and Women鈥檚 Education, celebrated the election of three women as Student Union Presidents, and the election of many more to various leadership positions in student-led organizations.
Meet Abiona, a young leader
Abiona Mataranyika, a 22-year-old student, made history when she was elected as the first woman President of the Student Representative Council at the University of Zimbabwe, the country鈥檚 oldest and most prestigious institution.
鈥淚 was the happiest person on the planet because I proved society wrong. It felt like a door of possibility was opening and I was the first to walk through it.鈥
Abiona, recalling the day she won the election
Like other female student leaders, Abiona was subjected to a multitude of personal attacks, threats, rumors and cyber bullying as well as violence on voting day,
Abiona explains: 鈥淲hile we have many organizations advocating for women鈥檚 empowerment in Zimbabwe, we still experience a lot of resistance from men. Despite women having the same qualifications and achievements, we are perceived to be less capable than our male counterparts. This is what motivated me to stand for President. I wanted to bust this myth that women cannot hold these positions.鈥
Shift in attitudes
For Evernice, the increasing number of young women being elected to leadership positions in universities is a sign that the hard work of FSNT and other organizations is paying off.
鈥淲e are seeing, for example, a much better understanding by young men of what sexual harassment is,鈥 says Evernice. This is leading to a more supportive environment for young women in universities.
Abiona鈥檚 candidacy was endorsed and supported by one of the biggest student political movements in the country, with many male members actively campaigning for her election. 鈥淲e cannot deny there has been a paradigm shift in the attitudes of men towards female leadership鈥, she says.
Today, Abiona is determined to use her unique position as the first female President of the Student Representative Council at her university to represent the views of all students. She is eager to find innovative solutions to change governing policies and improve life on campus for women, who make up 60% of the student body.
As part of this work, Abiona is planning to hold seminars on women鈥檚 empowerment in partnership with FSNT for all interested students once the university reopens following the COVID-19 pandemic related closure.
Abiona鈥檚 leadership is encouraging other young women to follow in her footsteps. This shows the importance of role models and the progressive shift in attitudes taking place on university campuses around the country.
鈥淯ntil girls and women are able to fully participate in leadership, the transformational changes that are desperately needed in Zimbabwe and elsewhere will remain elusive.鈥
Abiona
More information
- Nominations for the 2020 close on May 26, 2020. Check eligibility criteria and learn more .
- In 2016, FSNT was for its work on empowering tertiary education female students through leadership development and mentorship programs in Zimbabwe. Created in 2015 with funding from the Government of the People鈥檚 Republic of China, the Prize honors outstanding and innovative contributions that advance girls鈥 and women鈥檚 education.
- Read more on .
This article was first published on the .
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