Rumbi Chakamba is a freelance journalist based in Southern Africa. With a background in international relations, Rumbi specializes in regional development and gender. She has nine years’ experience in journalism and a passion for storytelling. Follow her on Twitter @rumbiechakamba. https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/contributor/rumbi-chakamba/rss en Entrepreneurship Financial Inclusion Solutions Mon, 18 Jun 2018 14:10:00 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/18/zimbabwe-womens-bank-wants-to-break-down-barriers-to-new-entrepreneurs https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/06/18/zimbabwe-womens-bank-wants-to-break-down-barriers-to-new-entrepreneurs A new bank in Zimbabwe catering specifically to women – particularly those in rural areas – will offer loans, advice and skills training to help women get the funding and access to markets that traditional banks often deny them. Asset and Property Rights Solutions Fri, 06 Apr 2018 12:50:00 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/04/06/land-corruption-hits-women-farmers-hardest https://www.newsdeeply.com/womensadvancement/articles/2018/04/06/land-corruption-hits-women-farmers-hardest New research by Transparency International looking at the prevalence of land corruption in Africa finds the practice disproportionately affects women, and calls for innovative responses to tackle the problem. Gender-Based Violence Wed, 03 Jan 2018 10:30:00 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/03/women-accused-of-witchcraft-face-assault-and-death-in-tanzania https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2018/01/03/women-accused-of-witchcraft-face-assault-and-death-in-tanzania Each year, hundreds of people - most of them women – were killed for being suspected witches. Rights activists say raising awareness and investing in development can help stop communities from turning on their elders. Crisis and Conflict Gender-Based Violence Wed, 29 Nov 2017 03:00:40 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/11/29/even-in-conflict-areas-the-greatest-danger-to-a-woman-is-her-partner https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/11/29/even-in-conflict-areas-the-greatest-danger-to-a-woman-is-her-partner While the world focuses on sexual violence perpetrated by clashing groups in conflict zones, researchers are warning that the real danger to women is being ignored: violence from their husbands, fathers and other men they know. Politics and Policy Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:03:46 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/10/06/in-malawi-it-costs-women-25-percent-less-than-men-to-run-for-election https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/10/06/in-malawi-it-costs-women-25-percent-less-than-men-to-run-for-election Ahead of the upcoming by-election, Malawi has made it cheaper for women candidates to run. But in past elections, while the fee reduction helped get more women on the ballot, it did nothing to get more of them into parliament. Gender-Based Violence Wed, 06 Sep 2017 07:26:00 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/09/06/botswana-activists-march-in-miniskirts-to-fight-gender-based-violence https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/09/06/botswana-activists-march-in-miniskirts-to-fight-gender-based-violence The public, daylight assault of a woman wearing a miniskirt in Botswana has sparked a protest movement of women demanding the right to wear whatever they want without fear. Health Politics and Policy Mon, 28 Aug 2017 03:00:12 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/28/debate-rages-over-legal-status-of-sex-workers-in-south-africa https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/28/debate-rages-over-legal-status-of-sex-workers-in-south-africa In South Africa, many activists and health workers argue that prostitution should be decriminalized to improve the lives of sex workers – and they are sorely disappointed by a long-awaited report that recommended keeping the practice illegal. Health Mon, 21 Aug 2017 03:00:54 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/21/study-shows-men-in-zambia-control-womens-use-of-hiv-prevention-gel https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/21/study-shows-men-in-zambia-control-womens-use-of-hiv-prevention-gel Vaginal microbicides are meant to give women autonomy over how they protect themselves against HIV. But a recent study set in Zambia shows that social ideas of masculinity mean men get to dictate how and when women use microbicides. Health Tue, 15 Aug 2017 08:13:43 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/15/born-again-how-free-fistula-surgeries-transform-lives-in-tanzania https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/15/born-again-how-free-fistula-surgeries-transform-lives-in-tanzania In Tanzania, an organization providing free obstetric fistula operations is changing the lives of many women who suffer from the condition but are unable to have the expensive corrective surgery. Gender-Based Violence Wed, 09 Aug 2017 11:43:29 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/09/they-say-were-sinners-protecting-malawis-sex-workers-from-police https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/08/09/they-say-were-sinners-protecting-malawis-sex-workers-from-police Discrimination and misunderstanding of the law are causing tensions between Malawi’s police and sex workers, who often accuse officers of abusing them. A local NGO is stepping in to help sex workers uphold their rights and teach police to look past the stigma. Politics and Policy Fri, 07 Jul 2017 13:16:12 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/07/kenya-misses-deadline-to-enact-gender-equality-law https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/07/kenya-misses-deadline-to-enact-gender-equality-law Kenya’s parliament has missed a mandated deadline to enact a law that requires all elected bodies have at least one-third representation of women. With the parliament adjourned ahead of August 8 elections, activists aren’t giving up the fight for affirmative action. Health Wed, 05 Jul 2017 05:00:23 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/05/training-nurses-to-perform-cesareans-could-save-lives-across-africa https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/07/05/training-nurses-to-perform-cesareans-could-save-lives-across-africa In many African countries, women who are in need of C-sections aren’t able to get them, causing some to die in labor. Researchers have found that enlisting nurses to carry out the procedure could save lives across the continent. Gender-Based Violence Politics and Policy Wed, 28 Jun 2017 07:29:42 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/06/28/zimbabwean-activists-call-for-specific-laws-to-fight-revenge-porn https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/06/28/zimbabwean-activists-call-for-specific-laws-to-fight-revenge-porn With the rise of smartphones and social media, the problem of revenge pornography is growing across sub-Saharan Africa. But countries such as Zimbabwe have failed to introduce laws to protect victims against this destructive trend. Health Thu, 22 Jun 2017 07:53:18 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/06/22/malaria-prevention-drug-improves-birth-outcomes-in-zambia https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/06/22/malaria-prevention-drug-improves-birth-outcomes-in-zambia A study in Zambia shows that a malaria prevention drug given to pregnant women not only protects them from the disease, but also reduces their risk of contracting sexually transmitted and reproductive tract infections. This, in turn, improves birth outcomes. Health Solutions Thu, 25 May 2017 10:54:11 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/25/in-botswana-simple-meetings-drastically-improve-cervical-cancer-care https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/05/25/in-botswana-simple-meetings-drastically-improve-cervical-cancer-care At a hospital in Botswana’s capital, the introduction of a weekly meeting for cervical cancer care providers has resulted in a sharp reduction in delays for treatment. Education Fri, 12 May 2017 08:24:16 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/05/12/pan-african-academy-helps-gifted-girls-get-into-science-and-tech https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/community/2017/05/12/pan-african-academy-helps-gifted-girls-get-into-science-and-tech On the African continent, opportunities for girls to pursue careers in STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – are limited, but a new all-girls academy in Ghana aims to open more avenues for African girls interested in these important fields. Politics and Policy Reproductive Rights Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:05:01 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/26/shock-and-anger-as-angola-seeks-to-ban-abortion-entirely https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/26/shock-and-anger-as-angola-seeks-to-ban-abortion-entirely In Angola, women’s rights activists are fighting against proposed changes to the country’s laws that will remove exceptions that allow for abortions in certain cases and prescribe sentences of up to 10 years for offenders. Education Wed, 19 Apr 2017 11:02:51 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/19/for-zimbabwean-widows-losing-a-husband-can-also-mean-losing-a-home https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/19/for-zimbabwean-widows-losing-a-husband-can-also-mean-losing-a-home In Zimbabwe, widows’ property is frequently stolen by their in-laws. While there are laws in place to prevent this, researchers say they’re difficult to enforce and that widows themselves lack awareness of their rights. Gender-Based Violence Thu, 06 Apr 2017 12:25:04 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/06/tackling-rape-and-assault-in-south-africas-taxi-industry https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/04/06/tackling-rape-and-assault-in-south-africas-taxi-industry In South Africa, women are often harassed – and in some cases raped – when using the country’s minibus taxis. Activists and taxi industry leaders are hoping a campaign to educate taxi drivers about gender-based violence will help keep women safer. Crisis and Conflict Gender-Based Violence Wed, 29 Mar 2017 14:11:55 +0000 Rumbi Chakamba https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/03/29/border-jumping-puts-zimbabwean-women-risk-sexual-abuse https://www.newsdeeply.com/womenandgirls/articles/2017/03/29/border-jumping-puts-zimbabwean-women-risk-sexual-abuse To find work, many Zimbabwean women illegally cross the borders into Botswana and South Africa. But during the crossing through the bush, they risk being attacked by “gumagumas” – gangs who rob and frequently rape their victims.