More than 100 women in Bulawayo are benefiting from a UN Women-supported Makerspace project aimed at boosting productivity and improving the quality of work in the textile industry.
The project, housed at the (Small to Medium Enterprise) SME Centre in Bulawayo near Ok Mart is equipping women with modern machinery and skills to scale up their garment manufacturing businesses.
Innocent Katsande, a communications specialist for UN Women said the initiative was designed to address long-standing challenges faced by women in the sector.
“The Makerspace is really focusing on supporting women in the textile industry by giving them access to modern equipment and a conducive working environment. We have equipped the space with high-tech machines and solar-powered systems to ensure consistent productivity.” said Katsande in an interview with CITE.
Before gaining access to the facility, beneficiaries underwent training to familiarize themselves with the new technology. The result has been a significant boost in both output and quality.
“These women are now able to meet larger orders that they previously could not handle within short timeframes. Productivity has improved but more importantly, the quality and finishing of their products has also gone up,” said the UN Women specialist.
The selection of beneficiaries was carried out in collaboration with local partners, including the Ministry of Women Affairs Provincial Office, the International Labour Organisation and the SME Centre management.
“Broadly, we targeted women who were already operating in the textile sector but needed support to grow,” Katsande noted.
“These are women with existing businesses who just needed that extra push to increase production and scale.”
The Makerspace, initially launched as a pilot project has exceeded expectations and is now being considered for expansion into other cities.
“The success we have seen here in Bulawayo is encouraging. We are currently working on replicating this model in other provinces,” said Katsande
For beneficiaries like Charity Dhlwayo, the project has been life-changing.
Specialising in buttonholing, Dhliwayo recalls the struggles she faced before accessing the new equipment.
“We used to rely on old machines that were very slow and inefficient. Now, with the new machines, my work is faster and the results are much better. I can complete more orders in less time,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Natasha Moyo, who runs a small tailoring business, echoed similar sentiments.
“This project has opened doors for me. I can now take on bigger clients because I know I have the capacity to deliver quality work on time. It has really boosted my confidence as a businesswoman,” she said.
Nomsa Sibanda, a young designer trying to establish her brand said access to the Makerspace has helped her compete in a demanding market.
“Before this, I struggled to keep up with trends because my production was too slow. Now I can experiment more and produce at a level that matches industry standards,” she explained.