Across rural northeastern Zimbabwe, young women and girls are reviving an old cultural practice to challenge child marriage and advocate for gender equality.
Inside a white tent, girls gather to openly discuss topics like sexuality, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, gender bias, education, and economic independence, no topic is off limits.
“This is a safe space where every girl feels free,” said 18 year old Anita Razo, who joined the group at 14 and now serves as a mentor to others.
Traditionally, adolescent girls were secluded and taught how to prepare for marriage in a custom known as Nhanga. But today, they are redefining that very tradition, transforming it into a platform to educate and empower young girls about the dangers of child marriage and the importance of equality.
In a school in Shamva, women and girls sit in a circle inside a tent, a small fire burning in the middle, as their mentor speaks passionately about ending child marriage and building a better future for girls.
“The new Nhanga is a cultural innovation addressing modern challenges,” explained Nokutenda Magama, a programs officer at the Rozaria Memorial Trust, a nonprofit organization leading this movement to uplift rural girls and women.
Here, sensitive subjects that are often avoided in conservative homes are discussed openly, helping young women find their voices and shape a new future for themselves and their communities.
