By Lloyd Mwale in Kadoma
HARARE — A Zimbabwean preacher, public speaker and musician, Israel Chikonje has embarked on an ambitious 25-day walking expedition from Harare to Victoria Falls, covering more than 900 kilometres in a campaign to raise awareness on gender-based violence (GBV).
The initiative, dubbed “Walk to Victoria Falls — Break the Limit & Change the Game,” Chikonje seeks to use the physical and emotional demands of long-distance walking to draw national attention to gender-based violence, which continues to affect communities across Zimbabwe.
Operating under the hashtags #EveryStepZW, #EveryStepAgainstGBV and #BreakTheLimit”, Chikonje hopes to transform each kilometre into a statement against abuse and a call for collective action to protect victims and survivors.
In an interview with H-Metro in Kadoma last Friday enroute to Victoria Falls, the youthful campaigner said the proposed voluntary expedition would combine the journey with digital media to amplify its message, reaching audiences beyond the towns and communities along the route.
‘The initiative seeks to transform a personal physical challenge into a national awareness to prevent gender-based violence, respect, dignify and responsible relationships, positive and non-violent approach to conflicts and awareness of the consequences of GBV among other issues!” said Chikonje.
The initiative comes amid growing calls for stronger efforts to prevent gender-based violence, support survivors and challenge social attitudes that allow abuse to persist.
By taking the campaign onto the country’s roads, Chikonje aims to move the conversation beyond speeches and online discussions, bringing the message directly to communities and encouraging public participation.
The journey is also intended to demonstrate how individuals can use personal initiatives, public engagement and digital platforms to contribute to social change.
Through the #EveryStepAgainstGBV campaign, Chikonje seeks to encourage Zimbabweans to recognise that combating gender-based violence requires sustained commitment from individuals, families, community leaders, institutions and the wider public.
Gender-based violence remains a serious social concern, encompassing physical, sexual, emotional and economic abuse.
Addressing it requires not only awareness but also prevention, accountability and accessible support systems for those affected.
Chikonje’s planned 25-day expedition presents an opportunity to bring these issues into the public spotlight while encouraging communities to reject violence and promote respectful relationships.
The campaign’s central message, “Break the Limit & Change the Game,” reflects an ambition to challenge the silence and social barriers that can prevent victims from reporting abuse or seeking assistance.
The use of digital media is expected to extend the campaign’s reach, allowing supporters to follow the journey and engage with its message throughout the expedition.
As Chikonje undertakes the demanding walk to Victoria Falls, the initiative places the spotlight on the role that grassroots activism and individual determination can play in advancing social causes.
Beyond the distance covered, the campaign’s success will ultimately depend on its ability to stimulate meaningful conversations, mobilise communities and encourage sustained action against gender-based violence.
For Chikonje, every step represents more than a physical challenge. It is a call for Zimbabweans to stand together against abuse and help build a society in which dignity, safety and equality are protected.
