Scoring Beyond the Field: Empowering Women Through Sport and Sustainable Livelihoods in Shamva

2026-07-02

July2026, DAPP Zimbabwe has launched an inspiring initiative in Shamva District: a project dedicated to Women Economic Empowerment through Sport. This transformative program is designed to break down barriers, foster gender equality and provide women with the tools they need to thrive both on and off the field.

At its core, the project recognizes that physical and mental well-being are the foundations of economic success. By organizing 150 women into three dynamic Sports for Development clubs, we are creating safe spaces for regular netball, soccer and volleyball training. These teams do more than just compete; they build confidence, teamwork and leadership skills that are directly applicable to entrepreneurial ventures.

The initiative goes beyond the sports field. Participants will engage in workshops on health, nutrition, and mental wellness, while peer mentorship programs will strengthen social cohesion. To ensure sustainable livelihoods, the project is also fencing three community gardens and providing seeds, practical training in horticulture, and vital links to local markets. This holistic approach ensures that the women of Shamva are not only healthier and more connected but are also equipped to generate income and improve their families' nutrition.

This project has been supported by Humana People to People Italy through a fundraising campaign linked to the Wizz Air Milano Marathon 2026. The initiative involved the participation of 6 corporate partners (The Style Outlets, Natixis, Domixtar Pharmaceutical S.p.A., Studio Pesca, Sustainability Makers, CSRnatives) and numerous individual, whose contributions made it possible to fund the project. The fundraising campaign was also made possible through the Rete del Dono platform.

Special thanks to the companies that ran in support of Humana People to People Italy during the Milano Marathon 2026 (The Style Outlets, Natixis, Domixtar Pharmaceutical S.p.A., Studio Pesca, Sustainability Makers, CSRnatives) and to all individual donors who contributed to the campaign. We also acknowledge the Wizz Air Milano Marathon and the Rete del Dono platform for enabling this initiative.