DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2018.v06i01.039

Pages: 245-251

This exploratory sequential mixed methods design investigated the role of Community-based Organisations in empowering women in Wadzanai Community Development Trust (WCDT) of Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. Thirty female participants were first randomly selected and then selected by snowballing. In-depth face-to-face interviews and structured questionnaires were used to generate and gather data. The study’s first finding was that as a result of CBO, women’s rights as part of the global human rights were now observed in WCDT. Another finding from the study was that CBOs empowered women in WCDT with skills to start and manage their businesses. The other finding was that CBOs protected women against abuse. The fourth finding was that CBOs helped women with knowledge to start income generation activities. In view of the foregoing findings, five conclusions are made. First, CBOs promote observation of human rights, with women’s rights in particular in search of empowerment of women in all spheres of life. Second, CBOs capacitate women with skills to start and manage their own income generating projects and businesses.