THE Sister Accord Foundation has launched its African Chapter in Zimbabwe with the aim empowering, as well as build self-esteem in women and girls on the continent through economic empowerment and mentorship programs.
By Michael Gwarisa
Among some of the issues the Sister Accord strives to do include educating, enlightening girls of the Power of Sisterhood and also eradicating bullying and violence against girls and women. The Sister Accord Foundation was started by Sonia Myles Jackson eight years ago.
Speaking virtually during the launch, The Sister Accord Foundation founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sonia said they intended to build a network of not less than one billion women and girls across the globe.
We want one billion girls and women to learn how to love each other as well as love themselves. You know why I say learn? Because there are always people, signs and things that tell us everyday that we are not good enough, we are not pretty enough and all those other negative things,” said Sonia.
She said women and girls should embrace their differences, love themselves and support each other at all times in order to defeat the negativity society throws at them.
“The Sister Accord is about emotional intelligence. How do we become self-aware? When you walk into a room, what do people see? Do they see that awesomeness that is inside of you? So often, we are tucking that light right underneath, we don’t want to show it.
“All of us are divinely created so we can learn how to embrace every aspect of ourselves. Our skin colour, our eyes, our hair, we must embrace it all because when you learn how to love yourself fully and deeply, there is something really amazing that happens. What is so much important particularly today when there is so much hate is that by embracing ourselves, we start seeing the love.”
Vasikana Project Founder and CEO Zvisinesi Dzapasi said, “We are glad for the launch of the Sister Accord in Africa and the good thing is that it’s being launched in Harare, Zimbabwe. Each year I attend the Sister Accord events and one thing I have noted is that they come to inspire and give hope and love.”
Meanwhile, Radio personality Thabani Gambiza who also runs her foundation the Thabani Patience Manjenjenje Foundation Trust (TPMF) has been appointed the Sister Accord Ambassador in Zimbabwe.
“It is with great honor today to deliver a message to a gathering that has brought the most favourite group of my dreams, women and girls whom I have at heart, never in my life did I think that in 2021, I will be called The Sister Accord Zimbabwe Ambassador.
“My credit goes to God and my sister Sonia Jackson Myles whom I feel God connected her to me through the same passion of women upliftment as through my own foundation, the TPMF and my radio broadcast journalism career managed to drive me to emancipate women from family, marital, social, financial, health issues and the list is endless,” said Thabani.
