Following her attendance at several strategic meetings and trainings organized by the CYDT on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Ms. Nokuthaba Ncube, a local young woman from Ward 6 in Gwanda, launched a health campaign to protect and educate her peers.
The targeted initiative, which commenced in June 2024 and continues to run weekly, was established to address a critical lack of accurate health information among young women in the district. Driven by the insights gained from CYDT, Ncube recognized that young women in her neighborhood were highly vulnerable to unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and early child marriages due to community silence on reproductive health.
To break this silence, Ncube drew directly from her CYDT leadership skills to establish a community awareness campaign focused on family planning and preventative health strategies. “When CYDT gave me the knowledge, they gave me a torch to light up the dark corners of our community,” Ncube stated during a recent campaign event. “We started this movement because no young woman should ever have to make life choices out of fear or ignorance.”
A central element of her strategy was the creation of a dedicated youth group that meets every single Wednesday afternoon under the shade of a large community tree. The weekly forum provides a secure, private platform for young women to openly discuss bodily changes, contraception, and the preventative measures necessary to avoid STIs. The group actively serves as a space for peer learning, emotional support, and total empowerment, enabling participants to share personal experiences and access verified health facts.
Through the campaign, Ncube routinely educates members on the physical and social dangers of unprotected sex, the long-term importance of making informed reproductive choices, and the legal channels available to report sexual abuse. “We learned that we have the right to say no and protect our bodies,” explained Pamela, a 19-year-old regular attendee of the Wednesday sessions. “The group gave us the shield we needed to fight for our education and health, and now I feel completely safe and in control of my life.”
The localized campaign has yielded highly measurable success within the ward. By mid-2025, the Wednesday circle grew to over 30 active members, and local healthcare facilities noted a positive increase in young women safely accessing family planning services. Furthermore, the increased awareness has fostered a safer environment where young women feel empowered to speak out loudly against sexual abuse and exploitation.
The ongoing initiative highlights how equipping a single young person with structural training can spark sustainable, community-led action. By transforming raw knowledge into an active peer support network, Ncube’s campaign continues to successfully promote, protect, and defend the fundamental reproductive rights of young women across Gwanda.