The Women’s Democracy Network Zimbabwe (WDN-ZW) proudly marks its fifth anniversary, celebrating a journey of promoting women’s leadership, civic participation and inclusive policymaking in Zimbabwe. Since June 2020, WDN-ZW has grown into a national network of women leaders in their diversity and inclusive policymaking champions promoting women to actively participate in leadership, governance and development processes free from all forms of violence.
Over the past five years, WDN-ZW has:
- Trained over 220 gender champions in leadership and policy advocacy, including marginalized women such as youth, women and those with disabilities.
- Partnered with key institutions, including the City of Harare, to mainstream gender-responsive governance.
- Launched The Gender Responsiveness Show podcast and the Action4Equality Campaign, amplifying advocacy for inclusive policymaking.
- Spearheaded multiple advocacy campaigns including #Act2EndGBV, #DemocracyNeedsWomen and #TimeToAct, addressing key barriers to women’s leadership.
- Co-hosted the WDN Africa Multi-Country Policy Roundtables, promoting regional collaboration on women’s political participation.
Through targeted training, policy engagement and grassroots mobilization, WDN-ZW has advanced its vision of building an inclusive and democratic Zimbabwe where women influence and lead policy decisions at all levels. WDN-ZW Board Chairperson Sapi Bachi highlighted that this milestone reflects the dedication of our team, the strength of our partnerships, and the resilience of Zimbabwean women. “We are proud of the impact we have made and are more committed than ever to championing inclusive governance and safe political spaces for all women.”
Further reflecting on the WDN-ZW journey, Hezel Sibanda, the Board Secretary, echoed the Board Chair’s sentiments, saying that “As one of the members who have walked the journey with WDN- ZW since inception, I have watched WDN Zimbabwe grow from an ambitious idea into a powerful force for inclusive leadership. These five years are not just a celebration of our milestones, they are a testament to the resilience of women who dared to lead, speak and shape policy. Our journey has only just begun.
“As it looks to the future, WDN-ZW is focused on sustaining momentum, expanding its advocacy, and leveraging strategic partnerships to strengthen democratic institutions and amplify women’s voices in policymaking and leadership,” she noted.
For media inquiries, interviews, or partnership opportunities, please contact:
📧 Email: wdn@gmail.com
📞 Phone: +263 711 489 265