Social Media, Technology, and Grassroots Campaigns on SRHR
When young people are given the right tools and information, they do not wait for change to find them. Instead, they create change themselves. Throughout the implementation of the sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) project by the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT), IN 2021, the youth of Matabeleland South proved that practical action is the quickest path to community development. Though blending grassroots campaigns with modern digital tools, they created a powerful movement that left no one behind.
One of the most touching and successful activities driven by the youth was the highly localized “Donate a Pad” campaign. For many young girls living in remote rural areas, accessing sanitary wear is a massive monthly struggle. Due to high costs and the long distances to shops, many girls are forced to use unsafe alternatives or skip school entirely during their menstrual cycles. Recognizing this crisis, youth groups decided to take matters into their own hands rather than waiting for external funding.
The initiative brought together young people from different villages to mobilize resources locally. Zanele Nyathi, serving as the Board Chairperson, took a bold leadership role in coordinating these practical distribution efforts. She stood at the forefront of the campaign, ensuring that collected sanitary towels reached the most vulnerable girls in the deepest parts of the districts. Her dedication showed that youth leadership is not just about talking in meetings, but about taking action to alleviate the everyday struggles of the girl child.
At the same time, the youth recognized that physical campaigns need to be supported by modern technology to achieve a wider impact. During times of national crises and lockdowns, rural communities often suffered from a total information blackout. While urban youths could easily access health updates online, rural areas were completely cut off. The project champions realized that technology could bridge this gap and hold duty bearers accountable.
Young people began challenging local and national leaders to rethink their communication strategies. Sharon Ncube, a passionate youth advocate, spoke out strongly against the slow adoption of digital tools by those in power. She pointed out that leaders were failing to use modern platforms to share critical health resources. She stated:
”Our government and local leaders are failing to utilize things such as social media to increase their community outreach activities.”
Sharon emphasized that relying on old methods of communication during a crisis leaves remote communities in the dark. She argued that the lack of modern communication creates a wall between leaders and the youth, making it impossible to address urgent health problems in real-time. To fix this, she demanded a clear, tech-savvy roadmap that would keep public officials on their toes, adding that:
”We need an SRHR strategy that will remind and guide duty bearers on the things they must do.”
Through this mixture of digital advocacy and hands-on community projects, the youth of Matabeleland South proved that they are a force to be reckoned with. The “Donate a Pad” campaign successfully restored the dignity of hundreds of young girls, while the push for digital inclusion forced local authorities to realize that remote communities deserve equal access to information. By standing up, utilizing social media, and leading grassroots campaigns, these young champions showed that accountability is not a passive word, but an active duty that builds a healthier and more equal society for everyone.