Story by Wellington Makonese

Women from across diverse sectors converged in Harare this Saturday to mark women’s month through wellness initiatives.

Experts say the mental health issues associated with keeping the family fabric together against the backdrop of relocation to greener pastures, have had a bearing on the well being of women – be it at the work place or at home – as they carry much of the burden.

During a wellness programme dubbed “Harmony Within”, marking the women’s month, reflections were made on how hormonal imbalances are linked to Gender Based Violence, a subject that is rarely discussed.

Perfect Symphony Organisation founder, Ms Tatenda Makayi told the ZBC News, “As we commemorate women this month, it has come to light that as women we overlook some of these issues and we rarely talk about them, and yet they fix the nation. Mood swings do happen because of imbalances, depression etc, and if we dig deep, there is an issue of imbalances and this can add to GBV. Every woman needs to have a look at these balances.”

Women from across diverse sectors believe it is important to push for wellness programmes across the social strata to get the best out of a society.

A participant spoke on the need for women to look out for each other.

“As an older woman, I have experienced challenges in adjusting. In the workplace there should be compulsory wellness programmes for women to look out for each other. A well looked out for employee performs better,” she said.

Others said even marriages and business thrive in a setup where women are in the best of conditions.

The World Health Organisation estimates suggest that 8–13 percent of reproductive-aged women and up to 70 percent of affected women remain undiagnosed for various ailments worldwide.