Progressio blog

As the 59th Commission on the Status of Women kicks off in New York, here is Progressio's position that is being presented on Women and Fragile States.

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Progressio has been working on gender in Zimbabwe for several years. To celebrate International Women’s Day, Progressio’s Southern Africa Sub-regional Manager, Fiona Mwashita, talks to us about being a woman in Zimbabwe.

What would you say are the main challenges facing women in Zimbabwe?

For Hamda Sulaiman, education has been the most powerful tool in unlocking a full life with open doors to her potential. In Somaliland, where more than half of the female population is illiterate, Hamda’s story is not a unique one, but it does show the change that can occur in a person’s life when a local organisation is supported to bring justice. In the lead up to International Women's Day, we wanted to give Hamda the opportunity to share her story.

Progressio is celebrating 75 years of supporting marginalised people around the world. We have marked the occasion with a special version of our magazine that looks back over more than seven decades of incredible work, and gives you a glimpse of the significant moments coming up in the year ahead.

Mark Marevera spent the majority of his life the way most farmers in his area of Zimbabwe do. Three years ago, his income was very volatile and he lacked the security of knowing if his farm would even provide a yield large enough to sustain his family.

He was living in the small village of Chirimanyemba, Zvimba where, despite agriculture being the main source of livelihoods, farmers struggled to respond to changing economic and environmental pressures.

Last year, Katy Coats was one of hundreds of Progressio supporters who took part in Live Below the Line - surviving on £1 a day for five days and helping us raise over £7,700 in the process. As we open pre-registration for this year’s Live Below the Line, Katy reflects on how she managed.  

To show London a unique insight into the women’s rights movement in El Salvador, an ICS volunteer has opened the doors to a collection of work inspired by her time volunteering with Progressio.