The Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe (FAWEZI), with support from UNICEF, strengthened adolescent girls’ leadership, confidence and participation through reflective empowerment dialogues and workshops conducted in Chitungwiza and Chipinge districts under the Resilient, Innovative, Skilled and Empowered (RISE) Adolescent Girls Project.

The activities brought together in-school and out-of-school adolescent girls, educators, community leaders and government stakeholders to create safe, inclusive spaces where girls could share experiences, reflect on challenges affecting their lives and identify practical solutions to advance their education, health and well-being.

Creating Safe Spaces for Girls to Learn and Lead

In Chitungwiza, the two-day reflective dialogue brought together learners from all 20 RISE-supported schools in the district, out-of-school adolescent girls and key government and community stakeholders. In Chipinge, ward-based reflective empowerment workshops engaged in-school and out-of-school girls alongside community leaders, with participation meeting and, in some instances, exceeding the set targets.

Through participatory approaches, including storytelling, trust-building exercises, group discussions, leadership activities and the Girls’ Reality Marketplace, participants explored issues affecting their lives while strengthening their confidence, communication, advocacy and decision-making skills.

The sessions encouraged girls to share their lived experiences, learn from one another and build peer networks that support their continued participation in education and community life.

Advancing Girls’ Education, Health and STEM Participation

The dialogues addressed issues central to adolescent girls’ empowerment, including girls’ education, adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), menstrual health and hygiene (MHM), access to youth-friendly services, and the participation and retention of girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

By creating opportunities for girls to express their concerns and contribute ideas, the activities promoted their agency and participation in shaping solutions to challenges affecting their education and well-being.

The discussions also reinforced the importance of supportive school and community environments that enable girls to remain in education, access appropriate services and pursue their aspirations.

Strengthening Multi-Sectoral Collaboration

The activities brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Department of Social Development, Chitungwiza City Health Department, Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Unit, National AIDS Council, educators, Community Care Workers and community leaders.

In Chipinge, the workshops were conducted through collaboration with relevant government ministries and departments under the coordination of the District Development Coordinator (DDC).

This whole-of-government and community approach strengthened coordination among education, health, child protection and youth development actors, reinforcing shared responsibility for creating environments in which adolescent girls can learn, participate and thrive.

Amplifying Girls’ Voices for Lasting Change

The reflective dialogues demonstrated the importance of placing adolescent girls at the centre of conversations and decisions affecting their lives. By strengthening leadership skills, encouraging peer learning and connecting girls with service providers and community stakeholders, the activities helped build a foundation for continued participation and collective action.

Through the RISE Adolescent Girls Project, FAWEZI, with support from UNICEF and in collaboration with government and community partners, continues to advance inclusive opportunities for adolescent girls to access education, develop their potential and contribute meaningfully to positive change in their schools and communities.

Empowered girls are better positioned to shape their futures, exercise their rights and lead change towards a more equitable and inclusive society.