Prof Cowen Dziva earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies from the University of South Africa. He also obtained an MA and BA Development Studies from Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. He considers himself a researcher and development practitioner with an in-depth background in gender and disability rights, and the application of human rights based approach (HRBA) in development. He is an avid researcher with several co-authored book chapters and articles on democratisation and development, gender and human rights of disadvantaged groups in society.