Zimbabwe

Ms. Nyaradzo Mashayamombe

Empowering Young Women to Participate in the Movement for Democracy in Zimbabwe

Ms. Nyaradzo Mashayamombe is founding executive director of Tag A Life International Trust (Ta-LI), an advocacy organization that promotes girls’ rights and women’s empowerment in Zimbabwe. She is also a board member of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, the country’s largest coalition of women’s organizations; national coordinator for Girls Not Brides International, which campaigns against child marriage; and former member of the United Nations’ National Technical Working Group on Gender, Sexual & Reproductive Health, and HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe. In acknowledgment of her advocacy for the rights of girls, Junior Chamber International recognized her in 2013 as one of Ten Outstanding Young People in Zimbabwe in the category of “Contribution to Children, World Peace, and Human Rights.” She has also been recognized as a Community Champion through an award from Zimbabwe International Women Awards.  During her fellowship, Ms. Mashayamombe plans to examine best practices for empowering Zimbabwean youth, particularly girls and young women, to become civic activists and leaders in the movement for democracy.  She anticipates working toward a report tentatively entitled “Engaging Young People for Democracy, Engaging Community Leaders for Change,” geared toward youth leaders, women’s organizations, the National Youth Council, and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Zimbabwe.