Rewarding men as change influencers, transformers

Shamwari Yemwanasikana Director Ekenia Chifamba, left, Abel Mavura, centre, and Ambassador Designate of Canada to Zimbabwe and Angola anmd High Commissioner Designate of Botswana Christina Buchan

Zim Now Writer

As we are in a season where a significant number of organisations have been awarding people at the workplace, Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS) has awarded “Men As Role Models Awards” to 17 men as Champions for Change.

Speaking to Zimbabwe Now, Development and Partnerships Coordinator, Lisa Bianca Bonongwe, said annually, SYS host a Men As Role Models awards ceremony as part of the 16-Days of Activism, where they honour men as gender champions fighting for gender equality in their communities.

“This year, we hosted a braai festival to celebrate men as champions of change, to commemorate the end of 16 Days of Activism Against GBV (25 Nov to 10 Dec),” she said.

She said the inclusion of men and boys through the Men’s and Boys’ flagship programme in communities has been the organisation’s programming effort to bridge the gender inclusion gap.

“This approach encourages men and boys to abandon harmful stereotypes, address underlying gender norms, embrace respectful, healthy relationships, and support the human rights of all people, everywhere.

“We wanted to provide a positive space in which men can acknowledge the problem and take responsibility at a granular level, whether as fathers, partners, employers or friends to support positively the women around them to help them reach their potential,” she said.

SYS is a distinct pro-girl’ organisation that seeks to promote, protect and advance the rights and empowerment of the girl child in the home, school, and community, at the national level and beyond.

It has vast experience in programming targeting adolescent girls and young women, structured around four pillars; child protection, sustainable livelihoods, leadership, and sexual reproductive health rights.

Abel Mavura, director of Marvel Act Youth Organisation of Zimbabwe (MAYO) said the idea of honouring male champions who have done extremely well in making a difference towards creating safe spaces for women and girls is brilliant.

“Engaging Men in the fight against gender imbalances is very critical because it creates a generation of men who are change makers and transformers in our communities.

“Men are always seen as the perpetrators of GBV trying to empower the girl child and fight GBV without men involvement doesn’t yield tangible results. Men should be on the forefront as active agents of change and community influencers,” he said.

Mavura won the Community mobilisation and empowerment for gender equality and women empowerment award.

He founded a Youth and Women-Focused Non-Governmental Organisation in Zimbabwe called (MAYO) and they are devoted to bringing social change, developing marginalised communities and empowering young people.

Mavura worked and volunteered in various humanitarian and development organisations in Africa, Asia, as well as Europe.

In 2015 and 2017, Mavura was listed in the Top 40 Influential and Emerging Leaders in Zimbabwe. He is also a recipient of the 2021 Gumiguru Civic Leadership Award. In 2019, he was the Unesco Africa week exhibiting author from Southern Africa.