Trans Women in Zimbabwe Defying Economic Exclusion

In Zimbabwe, transgender women face discrimination and exclusion in many areas of life, including employment, housing, healthcare, and education.

Zimbabwe, a country of about 16 million people, lacks policies and laws to protect transgender individuals and the LGBTIQ+ community at large. Despite these challenges, some trans women are not letting their gender identity limit who they are in life. They have created ways to empower themselves and provide safe spaces for others like them.

Haylie and Queen are two such trans women who are finding success and economic empowerment on their own terms.

Haylie’s Story: From Employment Denied to Becoming a Trans Employer

Haylie, a 25-year-old transgender woman, has always loved food and cooking. This passion led her to professionalise her culinary skills when she enrolled at a local private college. Raised by a single mother who accepted her gender identity, she grew up in a relatively welcoming home.

However, the outside world was much harsher, especially when she sought employment. She recalls her last job interview about three years ago.

“It was at a local food outlet that had recently opened. I saw this as an opportunity to be financially independent and, knowing that I was suitably qualified for the job, I was confident I would get one of the vacant chef’s positions,” says Haylie.

“I was asked if I was male or female, a question I have been asked all my life. Before I could answer, the interviewer looked at my national ID, which said male. He looked at me, then back at the ID, and you could see he was disgusted.”

Haylie was denied the job after being told, “You will confuse our customers with your looks.” This broke her heart and reinforced the damaging notion that trans women don’t belong.

“With the money from that gig, I bought equipment to start my catering business…”

Undeterred, Haylie continued applying for jobs, hoping to find an inclusive workplace. One day, an organisation contacted her to cater an event they were hosting.

“I went in, and the people were very welcoming. They asked me to prepare lunch at their office as an interview. I made a beef stew with rice and mixed vegetables. They were blown away and hired me on the spot,” she exclaims.

“With the money from that gig, I bought equipment to start my catering business, realising I could make it on my own.”

Haylie’s determination paid off. After she landed her first client, word spread about her delicious food and exceptional service. Her business grew, attracting clients who appreciated her creativity and attention to detail, even on low budgets.

She has since hired and trained three other trans women to work with her and help grow her vision. Today, Haylie is proud to not only pay her bills but also employ fellow community members who faced similar discrimination when seeking employment.

Queen’s Story: From Bullying Survivor to Creating a Trans Safe Space

Queen, a 28-year-old transgender woman from Bulawayo, faced many similar challenges. Growing up she was accepted by her family, who supported her gender identity from a young age.

“My dad always defended me, even from my siblings who would sometimes make nasty jokes about me liking girly stuff,” says Queen. Sadly, her father died in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Queen’s school experience was very difficult. She faced bullying and harassment from her peers, leading her to opt for a college course soon after completing ordinary-level education.

“I wanted to stay out of high school because that’s where I faced a lot of ridicule from classmates. I felt college was more mature, and I could do weekend or evening classes, which would shorten my interactions with students in case I got nasty classmates,” she explains.

In college, Queen pursued her passion for hairstyling, a skill she learned from her mother as a child.

“I finished my one-year training and did my apprenticeship at a salon run by the local municipality. I was hired after my internship because I was good at what I did and many clients loved my skills,” she says.

Unfortunately, two years later, the municipality faced financial challenges and started leasing the property to private landlords. “We were now under new management. The owner started renting out chairs to other hairdressers, and we ended up being more than ten in one room. The competition grew, and other stylists started using blackmail to increase their chances of getting clients,” says Queen.

“The workplace became so toxic that I started avoiding work some days because I felt depressed and didn’t want to interact with anyone. I knew my clients were happy with my work, but the environment was becoming bad for my mental wellbeing.”

“We use the salon to meet up as transgender women, relax, talk about our experiences and challenges…”

Despite the exclusion and discrimination, Queen did not give up on her passion for hairstyling. She chose to open her own salon in her backyard, creating a welcoming space for everyone, including other trans individuals.

“After a month of having at least two clients per day, I saved up and bought a tent to pitch in the backyard, making it like a room. Another month went by, and I bought more equipment like hair dryers, gowns, chemicals, and chairs to boost the business,” recounts Queen.

Her salon quickly became a hub for the trans community in Bulawayo, where they could find employment, support, and a sense of belonging.

“We use the salon to meet up as transgender women, relax, talk about our experiences and challenges, and be there for each other,” says Queen.

She has trained other trans women and non-binary individuals, equipping them with skills in nails, hair cutting, and styling. This provides them with a platform to sharpen their skills and build confidence.

Haylie and Queen’s stories exemplify the power of resilience in the face of an often unwelcoming society. By taking ownership of their talents and skills, these trans women have become beacons of hope, giving others in their community the opportunity to dream.

 

Photos and article by Tanaka M, a trans journalist and podcaster from Zimbabwe.

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This article was made possible with the support of the Other Foundation. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the Other Foundation. www.theotherfoundation.org.

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