Women’s Month: ‘I’m a geek for justice’

“I did not have it very easy growing up. I think naturally when you’re exposed to systemic or community issues, it causes a little changemaker in you to rise.”

This is why University of Cape Town (UCT) BCom Information Systems final-year student Nyasha Chivonivoni sees herself as a storyteller, changemaker and a passionate advocate for women empowerment, gender equality, mental health and overall sustainability advocate.

Her conviction recently saw her travel to Rwanda as part of a group of 1 000 participants selected from 100 000 applicants emerging from 136 countries as part of UNLEASH’s programme, which offers different programmes for youth to co-create a sustainable future by addressing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their community, region, or worldwide.

“We were selected to collaborate on innovative ideas and co-create solutions around certain themes based on a selection of the 17 UN SDGs. I had the privilege of working with an amazing team on a solution for the sexual and reproductive health track, which aligns with SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 5 (gender equality),” Chivonivoni recalled.

“We wanted to look at the sexual and reproductive health of a group that has and often experiences long-standing neglect.”

“It was a vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring community of changemakers. Imagine a cocktail of cultures, ideas and solutions all coming together in one place.”

Asked what she found to be the most pressing issues relating to SDGs 3 and 5 and how it assisted in tailoring her presentation with her group, she said: “Africa has a rich matriarchal history. There has been tireless work and sacrifice from unnamed older women across many communities. My team’s solution at UNLEASH explored something in remembrance of them. We saw that menopause was a natural part of a woman’s aging and menstrual cycle, yet a lot of societies and healthcare systems did not reflect it.”

She added: “We innovatively wanted to look at the sexual and reproductive health of a group that has and often experiences long-standing neglect because their sexual and reproductive health is perceived to be their ‘own baby’ to take care of … healthcare is a right, not a privilege and so we had really wanted to focus on a solution that investigates the sexual and reproductive health of that stage/group’s life.”

Care package

Chivonivoni described herself as a “geek for justice”. “I see the world as ever-evolving. I enjoy stories of women who defy odds and so like the alchemist, I’m always joyfully immersing myself in narratives that celebrate resilience, courage and triumph. Hardships are very defining moments in one’s life. It’s often people who are most proximate to the issue that tend to have an unyielding and insatiable desire to enact change and embrace the idea that things can be different and should be different.”

Speaking on some of the findings from her group, Chivonivoni shared some findings of using Nigeria as the first case study. “There are many diversity gaps in sexual reproductive healthcare provision of many groups, particularly premenopausal and menopausal women. In Nigeria, menopause significantly affects rural women’s physical, mental, emotional and sexual health by 71.13%.

“Since we targeted a generally densely populated and poorer area in Nigeria, our solution was a simple care package and the introduction of older menopausal champions or ambassadors who would introduce these care packages. The menopausal champions would be crucial in building trust within their community and that the helpful goodies within their care package would ensure a holistic view and solution for their circumstances.”

Chivonivoni made it known that she’s in it for the long run with her strong activism. She’s also part of UCT’s Women in Science and Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) global cohort. What’s more, she’s also worked with Women Empowering Nations (WEN), a non-profit organisation that aims to accelerate the careers and social impact journeys of girls of the African diaspora.

“Early this year, I helped facilitate a wellness and leadership workshop and community service project, alongside other GLOW cohort alumni at Luhlaza High School in Khayelitsha. We also served at the inspiring Black Girls Rising – an empowerment organisation based in Cape Town for black girls in South Africa.”

She concluded: “Who’s going to fight if one doesn’t use one’s gifts, talent and resources to contribute to the betterment of society and the world? I’m moved by the Bible verse, Isaiah 1:17 – ‘Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow’. On the basis of faith itself, I’m profoundly moved and inspired.”