On Saturday the 29th of November, the Friendship Bench Hub in Mount Pleasant, Harare was more than just a venue, it became a scared space for courage, sisterhood and healing. A space where voices long silenced were given room to breathe,speak and rise.
The Ignite Youth Organisation hosted Courageous Conversations in partnership with the Friendship Bench under the theme Rising from Silence which brought together women from different walks of life for a day of honest dialogue, learning and collective healing. It was a gathering rooted in truth, bravery and the shared understanding that silence has cost too many women too much.
The conversations were not easy but were necessary. Participants engaged in deep discussions about sexual abuse, sexual assault and sexual harassment, confronting the many realities that women face every day but struggle to name out loud. Beyond these commonly discussed forms of violence,the event shined the light on the often overlooked impact of narcissistic and emotional abuse the forms of harm that leave no visible scars but affect a woman’s sense of self, safety and worth.
What made the day truly impactful was the multidimensional approach taken to unpack these issues .From a Human resources and workplace perspective, Mitchel Mzondofounder at SheBuilds Africa and one of our Board members, spoke candidly about sexual harassment in professional spaces. She unpacked power dynamics, reporting structures and the responsibility that organisations carry in creating and ensuring safer and accountable environments. Her contribution reinforced the message that sexual harassment is not a “personal issue” but a systematic one that demands structural change.
Providing the legal lens, Abigail Mutsvayi , Director at Zimbabwe’s Women Lawyers Association, empowered attendees with critical knowledge around women’s rights, legal protection and pathways to justice in Zimbabwe. Her session demystified the law, reminding women that eventhough the legal process may be intimidating, it is also a tool meant to protect and uphold their dignity.
From a medical perspective, Dr Rumbidzai Makoni, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Lyandra Medical,addressed the physical and psychological effects of abuse on women’s bodies. Her insights emphasized that trauma does not exist in isolation, it manifests in our health, our relationships and our daily lives.
One of the most moving moments of the day was the panel discussion held under the theme Unmasking Silence. Representatives from our partners the International Wellness Center, the Adult Rape Clinic as well as the Tree of Life and our very own Mental Health Officer , Kelly Chisina shared their expertise , lived experiences and on the ground realities of supporting survivors. The panel discussion reinforced a crucial truth that silence thrives where there is shame, fear, lack of support. But when communities, organisations and individuals work together, silence loses its power.
Interwoven with the heavy conversations were moments of beauty, reflection and release through music. Performances by Wilson Nigel , whose guitar melodies softened the atmosphere, Nicole Livet whose mbira rhythms were grounding and Buhle Dakwa whose violin performance carried both pain and hope but also reminded us that healing is not only spoken but it is felt .
Courageous Conversations: Rising from Silence was not about having all the answers. It was about creating a space where questions could be asked safely, where stories could be shared without judgement and where women could see themselves reflected in another’s strength
As the day came to a close, one thing became clear, silence is being challenged, Voices are rising and together we choosing courage because when one woman speaks, she makes space for many others to rise
Maita Masindo
Content Strategist
