Charity Mandishona, the Country Representative of the Graça Machel Trust’s Network of African Businesswomen – Zimbabwe chapter, is a passionate advocate for women and girls’ rights, a dedicated feminist, and an ‘economic promotion’ trainer. With a rich background in supporting women’s entrepreneurship, Charity plays an important role on the boards of several influential organisations, including the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations. Her commitment to uplifting women in business is evident through her active participation in initiatives like the Women Open Market Day events, which inspire and support women entrepreneurs to integrate into the value chain. A conversation with Charity spotlights her journey into advocacy, the many rewarding experiences she has gained, the challenges she has overcome, and the significant impact she is making.
Question: How did you become involved with supporting women, and what motivated you to join the network?
Charity: My involvement started when a friend invited me to a strategic planning session. The discussions resonated deeply with me, so I shared my profile and joined the network. My drive to assist marginalised women in business fueled my decision to become a key part of the organisation.
Question: What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Charity: The most rewarding part is working directly with women in business. Seeing their talents recognised and their businesses transition from informal to formal operations is incredibly fulfilling. It’s gratifying to know I contributed to their success.
Question: What challenges do you face in this field?
Charity: Reaching women in rural areas is a significant challenge. The technological gap and limited resources make it difficult to hold effective meetings and training sessions. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for real progress.
Question: How have these challenges influenced your work?
Charity: Being a woman has allowed me to advocate for women’s rights at higher levels. However, financial inclusion remains a significant hurdle. Property ownership issues, often biased towards men, prevent women from accessing substantial loans. This challenge has only strengthened my determination to support women’s financial independence.
Question: What have you learned from joining the Trust’s women in media network?
Charity: I’ve learned the importance of visibility and formalising businesses. These lessons have shaped our approach to ensuring women gain the resources and recognition they need.
Question: What is one of your most memorable moments working with the Trust?
Charity: Organising the Women’s Open Market Day was particularly memorable. It gave women a platform to showcase their products and connect with industry leaders. The enthusiasm and networking that took place were truly gratifying.
Question: How has working with the Trust impacted your professional life?
Charity: My involvement has greatly boosted my leadership confidence and visibility in the field. Engaging with high-profile executives and effectively articulating women’s issues has opened many doors for further advocacy.
Question: How has the Trust influenced your personal life?
Charity: The Trust has helped me transition from informal work to creating opportunities for others, like exporting products overseas. This has improved my life and positively impacted many other women, creating a ripple effect of progress.
Photo: Women supported by Charity proudly display their handmade products at a market day event in Zimbabwe, organised by the network.
Charity’s work with the Graça Machel Trust is about more than individual success; it’s about building a legacy. Her vision emphasises the need for greater visibility and equality for women in all areas of business and governance. By ensuring women take on leadership roles and receive recognition for their contributions, we can create a future where their economic efforts are truly valued.
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.