8:30 am
On the morning of Monday the 8th, slurping our coffees, both of us had the tingling sensation of excitement and nervousness in us. The first day of our Supergirls workshop was finally here. We rushed to our workshop venue quickly…
9:00 am
The Supergirls slowly started to roll in as we prepared the room with Winnie’s help.
9:30 am
Our first session of the day was an introductory one, where we all got to play around and learn each other’s names. We also used the opening session to create the Objectives and Rules for our training.
10:30 am
Our first guest speaker arrived at around 10:30 am. The magical SONENI GWIZI did a motivational speech on the topic of “My Body-My Pride”.
Soneni is the first female disabled Radio broadcaster with ZBC’s SFM, Motivational Speaker, Gender & Disability Activist & a Poet. Soneni trained in radio and television broadcasting in Zimbabwe & South Africa and has interviewed guests from different sectors of organizations local, foreign & all age groups. She has received numerous awards for her work including being honored by the Federation of African Media Women Zimbabwe (FAMWZ), the National AIDS Council and JCI. She was recently honored by Women4Africa in February 2013. Soneni regularly conducts motivational talks at schools on life issues, self-confidence & career guidance. Being a communicator I use my poetry passion to channel the messages on gender & disability. ”I am a strong willed leader,” she says. “I have not allowed my disability or society to define me by my condition…I celebrate my life as an African woman with a disability by inspiring & impacting people across board using the media & all platforms that avail before me.”
Soneni inspired all of the Supergirls and left us with the message that there is always a “plan B” and nobody can crush what is inside of us.
In the afternoon we dedicated time to learning about sexual rights and sexuality. Our group activity, “Circles of Sexuality” gave us a space to start clarifying our understanding about the different branches of sexuality.
(Some of the words that the Supergirls brainstormed about sexuality: polyamory, condom, hugging, porn, sensuality, intersex, flirting…)
As the day wound down the group felt full of new knowledge and expressed excitement about the opportunity to learn from each other.
Day two will include a larger discussion about sexual rights, an exploration on correct condom use and advocacy, and a presentation on leadership from Winnie, Matabeleland Region Chapter Chairperson of “Sally Women’s Institute“.
SUPERGIRLS OF ZIMBABWE 