As the world marks World Decent Work Day, many workers across the globe reflect on their struggles and hopes for fair, secure, and dignified employment.

by Nancy Likiripa

In Zimbabwe, countless women in the informal sector continue to face barriers that threaten their livelihoods and their families’ survival. Among them is Cecilia Zimbande, a determined woman who carries both the weight of motherhood and community leadership on her shoulders. Cecilia is not just an ordinary vendor; she currently serves as the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Association (ZCIEA) National Youth Vice Secretary and the Youth Chairperson for Mutare territory, balancing leadership responsibilities with her efforts to provide for her children. She owns a small food court in the city of Mutare. Like many others, she turned to self-employment as a means of survival. “This small business is all I have. It’s where I find food for my children and money for their school fees. Without it, I don’t know how we will survive,” she said during the interview.

But Cecilia’s resilience is being tested as Mutare City Council recently issued her a written warning and a ticket for operating without a license and proper working conditions. “They told me to vacate immediately, but where can I go? I don’t have the money to pay for a license or to meet the standards they demand,” said Cecilia. The notice struck at the core of her livelihood, leaving her deeply worried about the future of her children and her ability to survive.

For Cecilia, decent work is not a distant concept; it is a lived necessity. She understands it to mean earning an adequate income, having job security, access to social protection such as healthcare and education, opportunities for personal growth, and above all, respect for rights and dignity. “To me, decent work means earning enough to care for my family, having job security, and being treated with dignity like any other worker,” she explained.

Her challenges are substantial: she does not have a proper place to operate from, she cannot afford the cost of a license, and she lacks the materials required to meet municipal standards. Every day, she faces the painful contradiction of working hard yet being treated as if her efforts do not count. “I am not asking for much, just a fair chance to work, to provide for my children, and to live without fear of losing everything overnight,” she added.

Cecilia’s story reflects the struggles faced by thousands of women in Zimbabwe’s informal economy. “Women like me are working hard every day, yet our work is not recognized. We are treated as if we don’t count,” she said, echoing the voices of many whose contributions remain undervalued, unprotected, and constantly under threat.

As we commemorate World Decent Work Day, Cecilia’s story is a call to action. Decent work should not remain a dream; it must become a lived reality for women like her. Local authorities, policymakers, and communities must work together to ensure that every worker, formal or informal, can work with dignity, security, and fairness. For Cecilia and many others, the fight for decent work is not just about employment; it is about survival, justice, and the future of their children.

Nancy Likiripa is a 29-year-old woman from Zimbabwe, actively involved in various advocacy and media initiatives. She is a member of the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA), a StreetNet International Youth Reporter, and serves as a Regional Communicator for Southern and Eastern Africa. Nancy is passionate about media and advocacy, dedicating her work to amplifying marginalized voices through storytelling, articles, and visual content, including videos and photography.