About ZWAB
A Zimbabwean women-led organisation working at the intersection of women's empowerment, conservation and sustainable development.
Our Organisation
The Zimbabwe Women Association of the Biome (ZWAB) is a Zimbabwean women-led organisation focused on empowering women through wildlife farming, sustainable agriculture, safe mining, environmental sustainability, climate action, biodiversity conservation, leadership, advocacy and sustainable community development.
We believe women are leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs, conservationists and decision-makers. Our programmes connect women's empowerment with environmental sustainability — building resilient livelihoods while restoring and protecting the natural world.
- Women's empowerment: leadership, mentorship and economic opportunity, with a focus on young women aged 18–35.
- Conservation & environment: biodiversity conservation, habitat protection and ecological restoration.
- Sustainable livelihoods: climate-smart agriculture, livestock and sustainable enterprise.
- Community development: strengthening communities through shared knowledge, inclusion and opportunity.
Our Vision
A thriving Zimbabwe where women lead in sustainable development, conservation, and wildlife management, contributing to a balanced ecosystem and improved well-being for all.
Our Mission
Empowering women in Zimbabwe to promote wildlife farming, sustainable agriculture, safe mining and environmental conservation, while improving livelihoods and preserving the biome.
Our Values
- Empowerment — uplifting women through sustainable opportunities.
- Conservation — protecting Zimbabwe's biodiversity and natural resources.
- Innovation — embracing creative solutions for sustainability.
- Community — supporting local communities and fostering collaboration.
- Integrity — acting with transparency and accountability.
Our Ethos
The principles that shape how ZWAB works across wildlife, agriculture, mining and conservation.
Women Lead, Nature Benefits
Empowering women to drive conservation and sustainable development.
Sustainability at Heart
Balancing people, planet and prosperity in everything we do.
Transforming Lives, Preserving Heritage
Supporting women in wildlife, agriculture, mining rehabilitation and cultural preservation.
Strategic Objectives
ZWAB's work is organised around seventeen objectives that put women at the centre of conservation and sustainable development across Zimbabwe.
Wildlife Farming & Conservation
Promote sustainable wildlife farming, support women-led conservation and develop value chains for wildlife products.
Sustainable Agriculture
Enhance sustainable, agro-ecological farming among women to improve crop yields, food security and incomes.
Environmental Sustainability & Climate Resilience
Advocate for conservation, support reforestation and habitat restoration, and promote climate resilience and adaptation.
Community Health & Climate Resilience
Promote climate-resilient health practices and address climate-related health impacts on women and communities.
Conservation & Conflict Resolution
Address environmental conflict in mining and engineering and support women in sustainable, rights-based practices.
Health & Safety in Mining
Reduce health risks for women miners from airborne disease and chemical exposure, and advocate for PPE and safer mining.
Inclusive Mining Practices
Break barriers to women's participation and leadership across gold, diamond, coal and chrome mining.
Rehabilitation & Stewardship in Mining
Develop area-specific rehabilitation maps so women miners lead ecosystem restoration and benefit from it.
Women's Environmental Vulnerability Index
Develop and apply the WEVI to assess women's environmental vulnerability and target interventions and policy.
Preservation & Sustainable Farming
Preserve traditional seeds and heirlooms and promote organic, climate-smart subsistence farming led by women.
Livestock Development for Women Farmers
Support women with resilient breeds, good husbandry and meat-processing value addition.
Safe Traditional Medicine
Document and validate matriarchs' knowledge of medicinal plants with scientific evidence on safe dosages.
Integrated Land Use for Sustainability
Amalgamate wildlife farming, agriculture and conservation for healthier ecosystems and resilient livelihoods.
Women's Land Ownership & Tenure
Secure women's land rights so they can actively own and manage land for wildlife, agricultural and conservation projects.
Youth Participation & Empowerment
Prioritise youth — especially young women — to lead and benefit from sustainable initiatives and enterprise.
Inclusion of People with Disabilities
Ensure ZWAB's work is accessible and inclusive, empowering people with disabilities to participate and lead.
Inclusion of Disadvantaged Groups
Reach and empower people from disadvantaged and disenfranchised backgrounds with equitable opportunities.
Our Approach
Capacity Building
Train women in sustainable agriculture and wildlife farming, open access to finance and markets, and provide mentorship and coaching.
Community Engagement
Collaborate with local communities and stakeholders, raise awareness on conservation and support community-led initiatives.
Advocacy
Influence policy on wildlife conservation and sustainable agriculture, and advocate for women's rights and empowerment.
Our Reach
ZWAB works with rural communities across Zimbabwe, with a focus on women and youth in:
Programme locations are confirmed as initiatives launch.
See how you can be part of ZWAB
Whether you want to join as a member, partner with us, or support our work, there is a place for you.