Youth Interactive Writer
Youths in Hopley took their fight against gender-based violence to the streets on Thursday, marching through the community before gathering at Tariro Youth Centre in Hopley for a talent show.
The event was held under the “Click4Change to End GBV project”, implemented by Restless Development in partnership with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
The 10-month project, funded by UN Women and other partners, runs from June 2026 to March 2027 and is being implemented in Harare Metropolitan, Bulawayo, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central and Masvingo.
Its major scope is to build a transformative youth-led movement that uses digital innovation, arts and creative expression to prevent GBV and promote gender equality.
Nationally, it aims to train 450 young artists, innovators, technology enthusiasts and community leaders, establish an Advocacy and Innovation Circle from the five provinces, hold provincial hackathons, roll out community arts initiatives and a national #Click4Change digital campaign, and host a National Youth Power Expo and Digital Advocacy Awards during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
At least 15 youth-led initiatives are expected, reaching over 150 000 people.
During the march, youths engaged residents, conducted interviews and shared messages on respect and equality.
At Tariro Youth Centre, they showcased murals, art, music and other creative performances carrying anti-GBV messages.
Tanatswa Mukundu, an Advocacy and Innovation (AI) Circle member from Hopley Zone 3, said the day was about taking the message directly to the community.
“We marched around the community of Hopley, where we were reaching out to people, doing interviews and raising awareness on issues that pertain to gender-based violence,” Mukundu said.
“Young people are going to use arts to fight gender-based violence,” she said.
She said 45 young people have been trained in Hopley to lead the campaign, and the content created will be used during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
“They are going to be the champions for the Click4Change to End GBV as we move forward,” Mukundu said.
The outreach also brought out concerns from men who felt GBV campaigns paint all men as perpetrators while ignoring abuse against men.
Tanatswa Mushaurwa (18), from Hopley Zone 6, said the team encouraged men to report abuse and assured them all cases would be treated equally.
“As we were moving around, men were complaining that issues related to GBV, only men are being painted with a black brush yet they are also facing similar abuse,” Mushaurwa said.
Cynthia Makaza said violence against men must also be condemned.
“We are condemning all women who are burning their men with water and all forms of violence against men,” Makaza said.
She urged men to drink alcohol for pleasure and not to use it as an excuse to abuse their wives, and to always find a way of solving their differences amicably.
