Zimbabwe Rising: Ending gender-based violence and abuse in ward 14 schools

In Ward 14 of Harare Central, a youth‑led effort is shifting how schools address safety, dignity, and the rights of children. Rutendo Mugabe, the Junior Deputy Mayor of Harare and Junior Councillor for Ward 14, has used her platform to launch Empowering Ward 14 Youth Against GBV and Abuse, a project tackling the silence, stigma, and lack of information that allow gender‑based violence (GBV) and abuse to persist in school communities.

Rutendo’s leadership is grounded in proximity and purpose. As a learner and civic leader, she recognised the gap: children experiencing emotional, physical, or sexual abuse often suffered in silence, afraid, threatened, or unsure where to seek help. The consequences were visible in falling grades, anxiety, isolation, and the erosion of young people’s confidence and safety. Leveraging her roles in the City of Harare Junior Council and her networks in Ward 14 schools, she set out to build awareness, create safe pathways for reporting, and strengthen support for survivors.

Working in partnership with Family Support Trust, the initiative delivered age‑appropriate workshops, assemblies, and small‑group dialogues across Ward 14 schools. Sessions outlined the forms and warning signs of GBV, explained rights and protections, and introduced confidential reporting channels. A peer‑to‑peer approach ensured that messages were relatable and empowering. Students learned that seeking help is a strength, not a risk; that threats from abusers are tactics of control; and that services exist to listen, protect, and act.

The Change

The results have been tangible and deeply human. Learners now speak more openly about GBV, including topics that were previously taboo, such as rape, and know how to access counselling and support. Teachers and counsellors report more disclosures and timely referrals, reflecting growing trust in school‑based mechanisms and allied civil society partners. Students demonstrate improved understanding of consent, boundaries, and their right to safety, both in and outside school.

Crucially, the project has helped build a supportive culture. Youth are not only more informed; they are increasingly stepping up as advocates, challenging harmful norms, looking out for peers, and ensuring no one feels alone. Parents and local leaders are more engaged, schools are clearer about protocols, and the Junior Council has strengthened coordination on safeguarding issues. The primary beneficiaries are children and adolescents, whose access to information, support, and justice has measurably improved.

How the Change Came About

The change emerged through practical, consistent actions. Rutendo and her team co‑designed workshops that demystified GBV in accessible language, introduced peer‑led discussions, and established confidential channels for disclosures. They aligned with school counsellors to ensure continuity of care, and with Family Support Trust to provide specialised services and survivor‑centred pathways. The initiative also invested in school‑level capacity, clarifying who does what so that when a student speaks up, adults know how to respond safely, ethically, and promptly.

Evidence of impact is clear: participation in sessions has grown, disclosures have increased, and feedback from learners and staff shows greater confidence in identifying abuse, intervening early, and seeking help. Where silence once prevailed, informed conversations, and concrete action are now possible.

Sustaining and Scaling Up

To embed change, the project is building structures that outlast individual leaders and academic years:

• Training of Trainers (ToT): Selected students and staff are being trained as GBV ambassadors, ensuring knowledge cascades to new cohorts and is adapted to each school’s context.
• Institutional Support: The initiative is anchored by the Junior Council, Ward 14 school authorities, and partners like Family Support Trust, with ongoing advocacy to integrate safeguarding and GBV awareness into school life and citywide youth platforms.
• Monitoring & Feedback: Regular check‑ins with counsellors and clear reporting tools track progress, identify gaps, and inform responsive improvements.
• Expansion: Through Junior Council networks and NGO partnerships, the Ward 14 model will be replicated in other wards, and showcased in national youth forums to attract further support.

These steps ensure the effort is not a once‑off campaign but a lasting movement that normalises protection, accountability, and survivor support.

Evidence of Change

Multiple indicators point to meaningful shifts:

• Increased participation in workshops, dialogues, and awareness activities.
• More disclosures and referrals reported by counsellors and teachers, evidence of trust and access rather than rising incidence.
• Improved collaboration among schools, youth groups, and civil society, with clearer protocols and quicker response times.
• Greater confidence among learners in identifying abuse, supporting peers, and using established reporting channels.
• Recognition by community partners that the initiative is strengthening both prevention and response mechanisms.

Voices of Change

Before the sessions, when something bad happened, I hid and cried because the abuser said I’d be hurt if I told anyone. Now I know their threats are empty—I have Family Support Trust’s number. I’m not alone anymore — Kurai Primary School student

Our most immediate indicator of success is the rise in disclosures. Since the ‘Zimbabwe Rising’ intervention, we’ve seen a 40% increase in students approaching staff or using reporting channels. This isn’t more abuse—it’s finally, openly confronting existing abuse — Mrs Murwisi, Family Support Trust

The confusion is gone. Before, we feared mishandling reports. Now, with clear protocols from the Junior Deputy Mayor, we have the knowledge and professional backup to protect victims and pursue justice— Mrs Dhowa, Guidance & Counselling Teacher, Kambuzuma High 2

By: Rutendo Mugabe