Mapfihwa Project – Mothers in Permaculture

Mapfihwa is a word in the Zimbabwean Shona language that refers to stones that are used to support the pot whilst cooking using firewood, as traditionally done in many African societies. This project is named Mapfihwa because, like the stones that support pots, it seeks to provide women with skills in organic farming and support in their day-to-day lives to combat food insecurity and become self-sufficient.

Purpose

In a land with a majority rural population, where people have dealt with many decades of financial instability, food insecurity and limited access to water; and where women, assisted by children, are the ones who traditionally provide food and water for their families, yet frequently suffer abuse, Mapfihwa is a community and safe space. The purpose of the Mapfihwa project is to empower women to be self-sufficient, providing better access to financial independence through organic farming and human rights education.

Mapfihwa Project

Overally, the project seeks to enhance the participation of women and girls in community development, decision making and facilitating behavioural change using arts and technical skills transferal.

Mapfihwa is a place where women converge to work.

Mapfihwa creates a safe space for women and girls to openly learn about skills for increased agricultural self-sufficiency and related issues of human rights and sexual reproductive health education. This will be augmented by the use of social media which we hope will encourage networking and the sharing of information amongst women from different communities, traditions and backgrounds.

Context

Mapfihwa is a place where women converge to work. 

Mapfihwa creates a safe space for women and girls to openly learn about skills for increased agricultural self-sufficiency and related issues of human rights and sexual reproductive health education. This will be augmented by the use of social media which we hope will encourage networking and the sharing of information amongst women from different communities, traditions and backgrounds.