One NGOs ccntribution to women's economic empowerment and social development in Zimbabwe

Poverty, due in part to the lack of economic self-sufficiency, has been recognised as one of the key impediments in the empowerment of women in Africa. Although Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been frequently criticised, they have more often played a facilitating and leadership role as catalysts in empowerment and development in relation to the socioeconomic needs of women in poverty. Zimbabwe Women Finance Trust (ZWFT), a micro credit NGO, provides vivid illustration of financial assistance and educational and emotional support provided to women entrepreneurs. The goal is to expand women's opportunities through the promotion of access to and participation in economic processes and, thereby, larger social structures. By helping improve the socioeconomic circumstances and self-reliance of women, NGOs such as ZWFT are simultaneously strengthening African society.