Joyce Matara is a distinguished advocate for disability rights, a champion for gender equality, and a social development expert
with over 30 years of experience in disability programming in Zimbabwe. Currently, she serves as the Acting Executive Director of the
National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH), where she leads a comprehensive disability rights
coordination platform that operates across all ten provinces.
She holds a Masters degree in Development Studies with a specialization in human rights, gender, and conflict studies from
the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, Netherlands (2015).

She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Adult Education from Midlands State University (2013) and possesses foundational qualifications in social work. This academic background positions her uniquely at the intersection of community development, advocacy, and inclusive programming. Leadership and Advocacy
Since May 2023, Joyce has provided strategic leadership at NASCOH, representing over 50 member organizations nationwide. She spearheads national advocacy campaigns, influences disability inclusive policy development, and ensures that the voices of persons with disabilities are central to Zimbabwe's development agenda. Her leadership encompasses resource mobilization,
strategic partnerships with government and international development partners, and the coordination of accessibility initiatives across public and private sectors.
Joyce's work is driven by a vision of a Zimbabwe where persons with disabilities enjoy full participation, equality, and empowerment in all aspects of society. Her approach combines grassroots community engagement with high-level policy advocacy, ensuring that systemic change is informed by lived experiences and implemented through sustainable institutional frameworks.
Joyce Matara epitomizes a generation of African disability rights leaders, combining international exposure with deep community roots, technical expertise with passionate advocacy, and strategic thinking with practical implementation skills. Her leadership continues to shape Zimbabwe's journey toward a more inclusive and equitable society for all its citizens