Pachoto is a Shona word meaning the ‘fireplace’.

Introducing “Pachoto” meetings “the pillar of our movement building work”.  The Pachoto meetings are at the heart of everything that Katswe does. They began as study circles in a few urban townships and became so popular that they have expanded to become a formal series of meetings for women only. Pachoto! ‘By the fireside’

 Women gather ‘pachoto’- ‘by the fireside’ on a daily basis as they perform their traditional gender role of cooking in the home. The fireside is a place of warmth, as women chat away, gossip, laugh, share recipes and secrets.

Similarly, Katswe Sistahood Pachoto meetings are designed to be a safe place for young women to share, exchange, offload, learn and unwind. The space has been used as an entry point for creating sustained dialogue on issues that relate to women’s bodies, sexual health and rights, reproductive health and rights, general wellness issues, gender based violence and for celebrating ourselves, our diversities, our victories…and creating strategies for action in taking full charge of our own lives; bodies, spirits; sexualities- our entire beings!