MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO-A Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) final year law student has embarked on a social support project to empower men and boys in Nemamwa, Masvingo Rural.
Angela Maduro (24) is carrying out a project titled Engaging men and boys affected by toxic masculinity in promoting and preserving culture through entrepreneurship.
She told The Mirror that in a wide ranging interview that the Culture Fund and European Union (EU) funded project seeks to help men express their emotional and financial vulnerabilities as well as participate in civil society activities including cultural preservation.
The five months long program running from August 30, 2023, to January 30, 2024, entails assisting the men and boys to create artistic works as weaving baskets, painting and sculpture making.
“I am a certified civic leader passionate about societal advancement through civic engagement and sustainable development. The desired outcome of the program is to help men and boys express their emotional and financial vulnerabilities as well as participating in civil society activities which include cultural preservation. Another desired result is to raise awareness on cultural diversity and inclusion,” she said.
Angela said primary beneficiaries are men with a history of drug and substance abuse. She also said men living with disabilities, those unemployed and school dropouts are also considered.
Her desire is for men to freely express their emotions something which are they struggling to do owing to societal roles and values placed on them.
“I have initiated a number of community projects with special focus on the rights of men and boys since they are a marginalized group due to societal gender roles imposed on them. These roles prevent them from expressing their emotional vulnerabilities thereby leading to drug and alcohol abuse, violence and suicides.
“I am also carrying out a project helping men and boys affected by toxic masculinity through mental awareness and entrepreneurship,” she said.