Zimbabwe: Young women challenge social norms

Blessing Mutambara is a young woman from a rural community in Masvingo studying for a BSc in Sociology degree with the Great Zimbabwe University in Masvingo, central Zimbabwe.Mutambara was one of the young women and girls who organised the She Decides Open House where they mobilised religious leaders and young women to have an open discussion on the challenges women in Masvingo are facing when it comes to their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). This discussion highlighted the barriers caused by harmful cultural practises. It was an opportunity to share information on SRHR through theatre performances and to understand the position of the religious leaders on SRHR issues.“As a young woman who had just begun university, I was sceptical but the open house session where we shared the challenges we were facing with the community leaders was very empowering,” Mutambara says. “The ‘She Decides’ open house session we organised was more than just an event - it was a movement. It was a declaration of our rights, our power, and our resilience. We broke the silence, shattered the stigma, and demanded change. We invited various stakeholders including religious leaders and we discussed various aspects that affected Adolescents and Young Women in our communities.”Today, Mutambara stands tall as a proud SRHR advocate/ champion. She has inspired others to join her in this critical work. “Together, we're creating a world where women and girls can live freely, make choices, and thrive. I used to make reckless and uninformed decisions but I now know how referral services work and I can proudly refer my classmates, also teaching them about SRHR issues so that they can make informed decisions”.After the open house session, Mutambara had an opportunity to attend training on regional and international instruments that govern SRHR. She gained insight into the importance of advocacy in our communities.“I was empowered with knowledge on regional and international instruments that govern SRHR which I never knew existed even though I was already enrolled in a tertiary institution. I learned about the laws, policies, and frameworks that protect our rights. I discovered my voice, my strength, and my purpose.”“This training didn't just teach me, it also transformed me. The training awakened my passion, fuelled my determination, and connected me with a community of change makers. I'm no longer just a participant - I'm a leader, a champion, and a force for change,”“I appreciate that I got opportunities to be trained on SRHR issues that changed my life. It's a reminder that we all have the power to create a better world, one story, one voice, and one movement at a time.”