By Perpetua Murungweni
A disabled Masvingo woman who had been training women in detergent making has now been elected to be a disability rights representative.
Nancy Maulana (45) is not only passionate about soapmaking, but is also a vibrant women and girls rights advocate, who has now been chosen to be the Disability Representative in the Women’s Coalition in Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Masvingo Chapter Provincial Committee.
After participating as a member and training others on how to make detergent soap at WCoZ, Maulana’s passion drove her to the point where her work has now been recognized.
Maulana said she only joined WCoZ out of curiosity, wanting to know about the organization’s work and how she could also help women in realizing their dreams.
“Curiosity of learning made me join WCoZ so I could learn and also teach other women about their rights, encouraging them to stand up for their rights whenever they are supposed to.
“Most women faces a lot of challenges, some being abused especially those with disabilities like me and this sparked my interest to advocate for women rights. People with disabilities are often labelled or called according to their disability. Growing up with a disability, I was looked down upon, which took away all my confidence and wiped away my self-esteem until I joined WCoZ.
“My involvement with WCoZ helped me to know and understand my rights as a woman and it restored my confidence and self-esteem. Now I’m able to stand for my own rights and represent others like me from the abuses they suffer from not knowing their rights,” said Maulana.
Maulana has trained several women in her community and others from her home village in detergent making, empowering them with skills that will help them become entrepreneurs. She has also managed to train women who are members of WCoZ.
