By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Amid the searing heat of a Mucheke afternoon, Chesvingo Safe Market stands as a symbol of hope and resilience.
The once-bustling marketplace, designed to empower women and create a safe space for vendors, now battles the harsh realities of low customer traffic and competition from illegal street vendors.
Everjoy Hokomurimwa, a 30-year-old mother of two, sits at her stall displaying children’s clothing, women’s underwear, and skincare products. Despite the vibrant array of wares, business is slow—painfully so.
“It has been a hell of a day,” Everjoy laments. “We’re still hoping it will pick up after 5 pm during the evening rush hour, but illegal vendors outside the market make it hard.”
For Everjoy, the market offers more than just a livelihood. With her three-year-old child enrolled at the nearby Early Childhood Development (ECD) center, she’s relieved of the daily stress of balancing work with childcare.
“It’s a blessing. I can focus on work knowing my child is safe and close,” she says with a hopeful smile.
Another vendor, Ruth Matiashe, echoes Everjoy’s concerns. Illegal vendors selling similar goods at cutthroat prices outside the market threaten their income.
“We need the council to step in. They’re selling items at prices we can’t compete with,” Ruth says.
She also appeals for infrastructural improvements, noting the flooding issues that make the market unusable during rains.
The Chesvingo Safe Market, established in May 2024 with support from the African Development Bank, International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Ministry of Women Affairs, was created to provide women with a secure and dignified space to trade.
A vendor displays some hair products at Chesvingo Safe Market Centre in Mucheke
Beyond commerce, the facility includes an ECD center, which has made education accessible to local children for just $30 a month, and a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) center offering psycho-social support and legal aid.
For many, the market is a lifeline. The GBV center plays a critical role in addressing the underlying poverty and inequalities that often fuel violence.
“Most GBV cases are reported on Mondays,” says Philile Masuku, ILO Country Director for Zimbabwe and Namibia. “It shows that survivors are becoming aware of their rights.”
Despite its challenges, the market is a step forward in addressing several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Goal 1 (No Poverty): By creating sustainable economic opportunities, the market helps women and families lift themselves out of poverty.
- Goal 5 (Gender Equality): The GBV center and market space empower women to overcome violence and achieve financial independence.
- Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Vendors like Everjoy and Ruth are given a safe and supportive environment to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
- Goal 4 (Quality Education): The affordable ECD center ensures children in the community receive early education and nourishment.
- Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities): With provisions for people with disabilities, the market ensures inclusivity and equal opportunities.
Yet, challenges persist. Illegal vendors remain a thorn in the side of progress, threatening the viability of the formal market. But amidst the struggles, the women of Chesvingo Safe Market refuse to give up.
They see this space not just as a marketplace, but as a foundation for their dreams, a brighter future for their children, and a beacon of empowerment in their community.
As the sun sets over Mucheke, one can only hope that with the right interventions, these women will finally see their resilience rewarded and their market thrive.
Chesvingo Safe Market Centre
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