ZTC/GR/2: 2020 GENDER COMMITTEE REPORT

ZVISHAVANE TOWN COUNCIL

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

GENDER POLICY COMMITTEE REPORT MARCH – JUNE 2020

1.0 INTRODUCTION
This report covers the gender related activities undertaken during the period of March to June
2020.

2.0 COVID 19 PANDEMIC

Following the national Lockdown due to the outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 it is
evident that the impact of COVID-19 suggests that women’s economic productive lives will be
affected disproportionately and differently from men, bearing in mind that women earn less, save
less, hold less secure jobs, are more likely to be employed in the informal sector. They are the
majority of the vendors and single-parent households. Their capacity to absorb economic shocks is
therefore less than that of men. Women take on greater care demands at home, such impacts risk
rolling back the already fragile gains made in female labor force participation, limiting women’s
ability to support themselves and their families, especially for female-headed households. In the
case of Zvishavane the first level of the lockdown has been particularly acute in the informal
services sector, including retail, “piece jobs” and vending markets where women are
overrepresented. The situation is worse in Mandava, MaGlass and Nil Township where the vast
majority of women’s employment is vending. To earn a living these women often depend on public
space and social interactions, which are now being restricted to contain the spread of the COVID
19 pandemic.

Women and girls have unique health needs, but they are less likely to have access to quality health
services, essential medicines and vaccines, maternal and reproductive health care, especially
those who depended on the public space to earn a living. Thus the restrictive social norms
imposed by the lockdown has limited women’s ability to access their livelihood.

Information for noting

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3.0 1ST QUARTER ACTIVITIES

We await the procurement of sanitary wear so that we can roll out menstrual health activities that
were scheduled for the 1st quarter

4.0 AQCUISATION OF SANITARY WEAR FOR FEMALE EMPLOYEES

We have observed that the menstrual health of female employees is compromised due to the
COVID 19 outbreak and the current volatile economic environment. We beg the council to use
gender lens to acknowledge this natural need of women and give female employees sanitary wear
monthly so that they bleed with dignity. Ultimately, it should come out of the same budget that
toilet roll does.

Recommendations
May council provide for female interns and employees sanitary wear every month as part of its
gender diversity strategy.

5.0 COVID 19 WORKSHOP

We attended a workshop at Pote Hill Hotel on the 16 th to 18th June 2020. ZWRCN donated 120
bottles of hand sanitizers and 120 bottles of hand washing liquid to Council. All the Gender
champions who were present at the workshop received a bottle of sanitizer, a bottle of hand wash
and a face mask. The major objective of the workshop was to discuss the effects, impacts of
COVID 19 and the subsequent lockdown in Zvishavane. Educative discussions were done and the
Gender Champions and Local authority technocrats were educated on the Covid 19 pandemic.
(See attached annexture A)
Information for noting

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ANEXTURE A

Zvishavane Town Council

GENDER TRAINING ON COVID-19 ZWRCN

Dates 16th June – 18th June 2020

REGISTER OF ATTENDANCE

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Name Organisation
Edina Mutema Ward 1
Tendai Shoko Ward 1
Silver Ziyakika Ward 1
Chipo Hove Ward 1 DISCUSSION TOPIC:COVID
Moreblessing Nhamoinesu Ward 1 19 PANDEMIC
Janeth Mataware Ward 2
Miriam Phiri Ward 2
Laika Phiri Ward 2
Zvishavane Urban
Jane Chitumba Ward 2
C Sinaho Ward 2
Ethel Munemo Ward 3
INTRODUCTION
Dwana Phiri Ward 3
Sikululiwe Magagula Ward 3 The training sought to train the Gender
Sithembeni Nhokwari Ward 3 champions from all the ten wards of
Beauty Majaya Ward 3 Zvishavane urban on COVID 19
Mazhero Martha Ward 4 related issues its impacts and effects in
Beatrice Muguri Ward 4 the Community of Zvishavane. The
Molly Matsembe Ward 4 turnout of Gender Champions was
Sithengisiwe Moyo Ward 4 quite astounding; all the 10 wards were
Beauty Bangaki Ward 4 represented by five champions. The
Hove Glorious Ward 5 workshop was educative and vibrant
Pretty Mkwananzi Ward 5 discussions were done.
Stambeni Huni Ward 5
OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP
Tichaeva Masocha Ward 5
Memory Gono Ward 5 DAY
Stellah Mugate Ward 6
 Define Corona Virus and
Bahle Moyo Ward 6
explain how does it spread
Juliet Maromo Ward 6  Show understanding of what
Sithokozile Gogwe Ward 6 can be done to prevent the
Shingarai Zhou Ward 6 spread COVID 19
Mildred Muroyi Ward 7  Point out how COVID 19 and
Jesca Mabika Ward 7 current lockdown is affecting
Moreen Moyo Ward 7 the women in Zvishavane
Sophia Masvaure Ward 7  Explain through valid
Ward 7 examples how the Current
Elisiah Fusira Ward 8 lockdown is affecting health
Analis Vurayayi Ward 8 service delivery
Nyaradzai Moyo Ward 8  List the prevalent SRHR
Itai Gobvu Ward 8 issues that are on the rise
Chiedza Dube Ward 8 during the pandemic
Tecla Mahubaba Ward 9  Discuss the role of the Gender
Ellah Moyo Ward 9 Champions to curb the effects
Christine Phiri Ward 9 of the lockdown in terms of
Simbiso Maphosa Ward 9 SRH service delivery in
Magret Musengi Ward 9 Zvishavane
Chipo Ndlovu Ward 10
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Miriam Dube Ward 10
Elinah Mhlanga Ward 10
Revai Gwamatsa Ward 10
Ever Phiri Ward 10
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With the current Corona Virus Pandemic, it is imperative to ensure that the Gender Champions are trained
on the best possible ways to navigate their roles in the community factoring in the pandemic. As the
number of coronavirus cases continues to grow, concerns are simultaneously growing about the current
and long-term effects this will have. According to the World Health Organisation, the COVID-19 virus
spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or
sneezes. ZWRCN has expanded its scope in advocating for women’s SRHR issues under the Gender and
Health Budgets project. Gender budgeting and Budget Monitoring and Expenditure Tracking (BMET) has
been employed as a main strategy to influence government to allocate resources equitably and in response
to women’s health needs. Findings and recommendations made in the end of project evaluation conducted
for the project on Mainstreaming Gender Budgeting and Women’s Reproductive Health Rights in
Zimbabwe, noted the need to strengthen community actions in demanding quality health service delivery
and rights. This aligns also with the Primary Health Care approach, which calls for a conscious acceptance
by the community of the responsibility for its own health.
Content of the Workshop Day 1 & 2 with Gender Champions
 What is Corona Virus? How does it spread?
 What can be done to prevent spreading the disease?
 How is the current lockdown affecting the women in Zvishavane?
 How is the Current lockdown affecting health service delivery?
 What are the prevalent SRHR issues that are on the rise during the pandemic?
 What role can the Gender Champions play to curb the effects of the lockdown in terms of SRH
service delivery in Zvishavane?
Content of workshop Day 3
 Covid-19 and its effects on Service delivery
 Social Service Delivery in Health care centres during this pandemic
 Gender Sensitive Budgeting of Funding for COVID
 Challenges faced by residents during lockdown
 Gender Mainstreaming and implementation of programs
 Fears, Asks and Comments from Residents
 GBV issues during lockdown

LESSONS FROM MINISTRY OF HEALTH FACILITATOR (SISTER NYONI)

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What is COVID 19?

It is an infectious caused by corona virus transmitted by droplets through coughing and sneezing.
CO - Corona - Believed to have originated from the city of Corona in Wuhan China
VI - Virus
D - Disease
19 - 2019 - believed to have started in the year 2019
Signs and symptoms of Covid 19
 Breathing difficulties
 Coughing
 Fever
 sore throat
 headache
 runny nose
 Body aches
What to do when you suspect you have Covid 19 ?
 Contact hotline 2019
 Social distancing
 Wear face mask
 Avoid conduct with other people
 Self isolate
 Do not visit public places

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Measures to avoid the spread of Covid 19

 Wash hands with soap and water
 Wear a face mask
 Wash hands or sanitize

IMPACTS OF COVID 19 IN THE COMMUNITY

NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF COVID 19 POSITIVE IMPACTS OF COVID 19

Emotional distress Bonding time with family – husbands spending more
Spiritual life affected time with their wives.
No means of livelihood Local authority providing water for longer hours
Social distancing causing queues in the CBD and
everywhere
Long distance relationships affected as movement was
restricted
School children progress backsliding
Domestic Violence
Emotional distress
Spiritual life affected
No means of livelihood
Social distancing causing queues in the CBD and
everywhere
Long distance relationships affected as movement was
restricted
School children progress backsliding
Unwanted pregnancies
No income
Illegal abortions
Delays in Immunization and antennal bookings

CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC

Lack of resources like the infrared thermometer, sanitizers and facemasks.
Lack of adequate public transport to commute to workplaces, CBD and health facilities.

CONCLUSION
It can be drawn from the above discussion that there is need for consistent capacity building workshops to
equip the Community Gender Champions with the required skills. The COVID 19 has amplified and
heightened all existing inequalities. These inequalities in turn shape who is affected, the severity of that
impact, and the Local Authority efforts at recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic and its social and economic

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impacts have created a community crisis unparalleled in the history of Zvishavane and one which requires
a whole-of-society response to match its sheer scale and complexity. COVID-19 response plans, and every
recovery package and budgeting of resources, needs to address the gender impacts of this pandemic.
 Including women and women’s organizations at the heart of the COVID-19 response;
 Designing socio-economic plans with an intentional focus on the lives and futures of women and
girls. Putting women and girls at the centre of economies will fundamentally drive better and more
sustainable development outcomes for all.
As the COVID-19 pandemic deepens economic and social stress coupled with restricted movement and
social isolation measures, gender-based violence is increasing exponentially in Zvishavane Urban. Many
women are being forced to ‘lockdown’ at home with their abusers at the same time that services to support
survivors are being disrupted or made inaccessible

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