An Evaluation of the Impact of the Zimbabwe Land Reform Programme on Female Farm Workers: A Case Study of Nyabira in Mashonaland West Province

The study investigated the acknowledgement levels, attitudes and perceptions of people with regard to the impact of land redistribution on female farm workers on society and focused on the respondents that were drawn from Nyabira farming community in Mashonaland West Province. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Data was collected by means of interviews, documentary analysis procedures, focus group discussions and questionnaires from a total of 106 respondents out of a total population of 212. The sampling procedures used were the purposive sampling and simple random techniques. The study found out that social, political and economic barriers influenced the impact of land redistribution programmes. The study concludes that the endeavour to involve female farm workers in land redistribution programme is constrained by a number of challenges which range from poverty, effects of patriarchy, cultural, political to economic factors. However, the Zimbabwean people are aware of the detrimental effects associated with the exclusion of females in land redistribution programme. The study recommends that there is need for a collaborated approach from government and other stakeholders to actively engage in some strategies to help females meaningfully participate in these programmes. Further research in this area is highly recommended to continue advancing scholarship in this seemingly grey area.