Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has become one of the biggest obstacles to women’s participation in decision-making severely limiting their ability to participate in economic and social activities. It has taken the greater ordeal of time for young people and decreased the self-esteem of many young people to assertively represent themselves in decision making structures. Young women and girls who are victims of GBV continue to lose precious time through nursing the traumas of abuse and following through the prolonged and corrupt legal system that take longer times to deliver judgements.  Humanitarian crisis such as climate change and COVID-19, have further intensified the vulnerability of women and girls who are already experiencing discrimination, violence as well as harmful cultural and religious practices such as early marriages. The existence of climate change induced crisis has made access to basic services a mammoth task considering that young women bear the brand of humanitarian crisis, and they are faced with denigrating experiences in trying to fend for their children and speaking out against poor service delivery. With the little resources that they have young people in Hopley have been exposed to poor water and sanitation systems making it insensitively difficult to live a normal life.

Tariro 23 (pseudo name) was married at the age of 14 to an abusive husband and was physically, sexually, emotionally and economically abused, ending up believing that   it was normal. The cultural norms as prescribed by the patriarchal system have also exacerbated the situation making it a social norm for women to be submissive, and if not, end up being beaten up by their male counterparts.  For Tariro, her husband was irresponsible and promiscuous but as an orphan, she had no choice but to be resilient in the marriage for the sake of her children. The abuse intensified around 2020-2021 which prompted her to seek help after sharing with some of her neighbours who are part of the Dignified Lives and Decent Livelihoods for Young People project funded by the Danish Television, she was advised to reach out to an Action Aid Zimbabwe partner offering services to young people facing all forms of violence (Katswe Sisterhood who are offering referrals as part of the DTV project deliverables) for assistance; where she was referred to Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Victim Friendly Unity (VFU) and reported her case which then led to the arrest and separation from her husband. Her estranged husband came to the house after the separation and a heated argument erupted which resulted in him heating up a pot with cooking oil which he poured on her and burned her hand and scarred her for life. The memories of the abuse tormented her for a long time to a point where she became suicidal, wanting to kill her two children together with herself.

Tariro is one of the beneficiaries of the Danish Television project titled Dignified Lives and Decent Livelihoods for Young People, the project through people like Tariro have managed to create change champions who have been actively involved in supporting their peers to actively engage in critical community development processes and advocacy initiatives. The project has also allowed for young people to see their potential in personal economic development with people such as Tariro being given alternative livelihood options through engaging in small to medium enterprises for their growth. Tariro went through trainings that strengthened her capacity and built her confidence to face her huddles in life and the trainings were supported with funding from the Danish Television, some of the trainings she went through included Gender Responsive Public Service training, Life skills training, Economic empowerment, and entrepreneurship training.

Tariro, now a Community Champion and Youth Focal Person for young people in Hopley (an illegal established and vice filled community exposing young people to several ills including sex work and drug abuse) , is one of the young people that have been supported through the Danish Television Project  to heal from different traumatic experiences through referrals to the VFU (Victim Friendly Unit), PSI (Population Service International)l and the local clinic for counselling whilst at the same time gaining critical knowledge skills and confidence  on effective advocacy against all forms of violence and abuse for young women and the possibility to demand basic public services from the relevant authorities to cascade to others facing the same problems. 

Tariro joined various Dignified Lives and Decent Livelihoods for Young People project(Danish Television Project) initiatives that have transformed her livelihood through production of detergents for sale and improved her income allowing her to provide shelter, school fees and food for her two children.  She trained to make detergents, samosas, and run internal savings and lending schemes (ISALS) and benefitted from attending various training workshops on Gender Responsive Public Services (GRPS), Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Advocacy through creative activism which she is now cascading and educating other women facing similar challenges. The livelihood options Tariro has received have propelled her to a more assertive and confident young person who can stand up against community vices affecting young people in Hopley.

During the COVID -19 induced lockdowns, a lot of businesses were affected, however for Tariro, the skills imparted to her through the Dignified Lives and Decent Livelihoods for Young People project came in handy as she managed to sell hand sanitisers which provided income for her children through sales of over 100 sanitisers each sold for US$ 2.  Some of the proceeds were channelled towards the ISAL group where she is a member and contributes USD20 monthly. The business also allowed her to extend her living space with the construction of an extra room for her kids thus creating a safe space for her kids.

Her story motivates for the acquirement of Youth Hub in Hopley which is envisioned as a safe space to allow disadvantaged youths such as Tariro to heal from different traumatic experiences whilst at the same time imparting critical knowledge and skills to others. The centre will also provide activities to support community well-being and the provision of economic opportunities that youths would like to venture into to improve their livelihoods. For Tariro though her hand is scarred for life she has not allowed the scars of her trauma stop her from creating the future she deserves through participating in the empowerment programs of the DTV Project. In her capacity she has attended community budget meetings in which she has influenced youth focused initiatives by the Local Authority to influence effective public service delivery, demonstrating her power drive for community development.