Staff Profile

Qualifications:

• PhD in Development Studies
• Master of Arts in Development Studies
• Post Graduate Diploma in Development Studies
• Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education
• Bachelor of Arts General Degree

Research Interests:

• Gender & Development
• Gender, Climate change & Food security
• Cooperatives and collective development

Publications:

1. Mhembwe, S. (2025). Climate change and the feminization of poverty in Africa: Insights from rural Zimbabwe. Journal of Developing Societies. 41 (1), 85-107.  https://doi.org/10.1177/0169796X241305062

2. Ngwerume, M. D & Mhembwe, S. (2025). Parenting behind bars: Experiences of incarcerated mothers with accompanying children at a closed female prison in Zimbabwe. African Journal of Sociology, Psychology and Rural Studies, 5 (2), 41-59.  https://journals.co.za/doi/10.31920/2752-6585/2025/v5n2a3

3. Mhembwe, S. (2025). Non-state actors, poverty alleviation and empowerment of women in rural areas: The case of Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe. In D. Nhengu. (Ed). Civil society and the sustainable development goals in Africa: Contributions and challenges. Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.  https://cambridgescholars.com/product/978-1-0364-4857-8/

4. Mhembwe, S. (2024). Gendered challenges faced by rural women self-help groups in Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe. The Dyke. 18 (1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.64754/thedyke.v18i1.236

5. Mhembwe, S. and Ntema, L. J. (2024). Poverty alleviation and empowerment of rural women through self-help groups: Case of Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe. African Journal of Sociology, Psychology and Rural Studies. 4 (2), 133-152. https://www.adonis-abbey.com/pdf/4001_article.pdf

6. Mhembwe, S. and Mapurisa, H. (2022). The effects of girl child school dropout on community development of rural areas in Zimbabwe: a national perspective. Int. J. Gender Studies in Developing Societies. 4 (4), 360–376. https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJGSDS.2022.125708

7. Moyo, A and Mhembwe, S. (2022). Socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable urban women in the informal sector: A case of Gweru urban. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. 6 (9), 391-396. https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v6y2022i11p391-396.html

8. Mhembwe, S. and Chanhuwa, M. (2021).Virginity Testing in Zimbabwe: Preserving Cultural Moral Values or a Violation of Women’s Rights? International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science. 5 (12), 584-592.  https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v5y2021i12p584-592.html

9. Kabonga, I. Mhembwe, S. and Dziva, C. (2021). Re-construction of livelihoods by survivors of Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani district of Zimbabwe. In G. Nhamo, & D. Chikodzi (Eds.), Cyclones in Southern Africa: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable Development Goals Series. 143-156. Switzerland, Springer. https://www.springerprofessional.de/en/the-reconstruction-of-livelihoods-by-survivors-of-cyclone-idai-i/19706736

10. Chaminuka, N., Dube, E., Kabonga, I. and Mhembwe, S. (2021). Enhancing urban farming for sustainable development through Sustainable Development Goals. In G. Nhamo, D. Chikodzi, & K. Dube (Eds.), Sustainable Development Goals for Society. Sustainable Development Goals Series. Vol 2, 63-78. Switzerland, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70952-5_5

11. Mhembwe, S., Chiunya, N. and Dube, E. (2019). The contribution of small-scale rural irrigation schemes towards food security of small-holder farmers in Zimbabwe. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 11 (1), 1-11. https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/674/0

12. Mhembwe, S. (2019). Gender equality and women empowerment on Sustainable Community Development in Zimbabwe. Zambezia. Gender Special Issue. 91-109. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351945717_The_Impact_of_Gender_Equality_and_Women_Empowerment_on_Sustainable_Community_Development_A_Case_Study_of_Ward_5_in_Shurugwi_District_in_the_Midlands_Province_of_Zimbabwe

13. Dube, E and Mhembwe, S. (2019). Heightening gender considerations for women in flood disaster response through resource allocation and distribution in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 40, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101281

14. Dube, E., Mupa, P., Mhembwe, S. and Chaminuka, N. (2018). The Discourses of Men’s Violence against other Men in Zimbabwe’s Rural Societies-A Neglected Enclave. American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research. 2 (10), 18-27. https://www.ajhssr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/B182101827.pdf

15. Mhembwe, S. and Dube, E. (2017). The role of cooperatives in sustaining the livelihoods of rural communities: The case of rural cooperatives in Shurugwi District, Zimbabwe. Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies. 9 (1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v9i1.341