The voices of Zionist women in responding to disasters in Chivi District, Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe

Abstract

While global warming affects people globally, in Africa, women are particularly more vulnerable than men because of the gendered nature of climate change impacts. Climate change increasingly threatens humanity by causing disasters such as droughts, floods, cyclones and heat waves which negatively impact human beings and the ecosystem. The socio-cultural beliefs and practices of women in African Independent Churches (AICs) increase their vulnerability as they are socialised to depend on decisions made by their male counterparts. The study focuses on Zionist women in Chivi, a rural area where women practice agriculture for their livelihoods. Many men migrate to neighbouring countries in search of employment, leaving women at the centre of climate change discourse. The study was guided by the intersectionality theory and Moser’s gender analysis framework as there are connected variables. A constructivist paradigm utilising a qualitative approach was adopted. The study used the narrative research design through in-depth interviews from stories and experiences of women in Zion church as primary participants and key informants who are knowledgeable about the phenomenon under study. In-depth interview guides and focus group discussion guides were used to collect data. The data collected was analysed thematically as follows: response to early warning signs, effects of droughts and flooding, resistance towards vaccinations, alternative livelihood strategies, collaboration and partnership with different organisations and proposed initiatives to church leadership including women in leadership positions. The study concluded that a multi-disciplinary approach to integrating environmental issues, religion, and gender is needed to preserve Mother Earth for sustainable use.