Bongiwe Dube

….Following CYDT Empowerment Drive ​In a remarkable shift in local governance, women across Gwanda town and surrounding rural wards turned out in unprecedented numbers for the local authority’s annual budget consultation sessions held in late November 2025. Historically, civic planning and fiscal consultations in Matabeleland South were dominated by male community elders, while female residents […]

The relationship between local authorities and women in Mangwe District has strengthened following a Local Governance Indaba conducted by the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT) in early 2025, where women raised concerns about access to fair and suitable vending spaces. The Indaba brought women and local authorities together to discuss issues affecting women’s participation in

Portia Sebata, a 46-year-old single mother from Tshibhidzanani Area, Makakavhule Village, Ward 6 in Beitbridge, is one of the women whose livelihood has been transformed through the Self-Help Group (SHG) Approach supported by the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT). Following the death of her husband, who had been the main breadwinner, Portia was left responsible

Mulalo Mbedzi is a 20-year-old mother and a member of Pfanelo Savings Group. Before joining the group, Mulalo and her young son faced serious social and economic hardships. Her husband left and travelled to Johannesburg in search of work, leaving her alone with her one-year-and-six-month-old baby boy. With no income and no savings, Mulalo struggled

Concerns raised by women during local governance engagements in Beitbridge were taken further during a Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Audit activity conducted by the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT) in March 2024, giving women and local stakeholders an opportunity to examine how gender considerations are reflected in local planning and service delivery. The activity focused