Women: Vehicle for Change…..

Socialization is a powerful tool that shapes the way in which we relate to each other and perceive the environment in which we live in. How we relate to one another, the imagery we have of society amongst other things are largely dependent upon how we have been socialized, be it in the family, schools, church and or mass media. Society has socialized us to female roles of nurturing, where women have by and large been placed in the home to take care of children.

Taking care of children also implies, feeding them hence history records gathering firewood for cooking and the gathering of wild fruit as the major societal roles ascribed to women. Women have thus relied on trees for both survival and fulfillment of their societal roles.

Nowadays tree products have also become central in trade for women both at household level and in business. Whilst other gathers fruits and non timber products such as mushroom and madora for sale, others have taken up handicrafts. Handicrafts made from tree barks, and seeds have topped export charts in the tourism sector with such products being demanded abroad whilst others are sold locally.

Realizing the connection between women and trees, Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe Trust decided to merge the societal roles of women and the environment in which they derive their livelihoods. Donating thirty trees to women at St Timothy United Methodist Church in Mabvuku to be planted at their homes, women were challenged to practice their socialized nurturing roles on the trees upon which they depend for survival in the home and economic endeavours.

Emphasized on the availing of the thirty trees was the need to restore forests that have been lost in most communities to meet firewood demands, and the need to plant more trees for the next generation of women who like women today, will rely on trees for survival and carrying out societal expectations.