In Zimbabwe, child marriage continues to rob girls of their futures. Despite national laws banning it, one in three girls marries before turning 18, according to UNICEF. Poverty, tradition, and lack of enforcement keep the cycle alive. But across rural Zimbabwe, girls and local leaders are transforming an ancient custom into a force for freedom.

“Suddenly I had to be a mother and wife,”

Samantha Chidodo, now 26, was forced to marry a man nearly ten years older when she was just 17. The abusive marriage left her isolated and exhausted. She recalls:

All I wanted was to play and think of my future. Suddenly I had to be a mother and wife, I didn’t even know what to do. I would be dead asleep, oblivious that I needed to breastfeed.

With support from Rozaria Memorial Trust, Samantha left her abusive marriage and went back to school. Today she helps run Nhanga in her community. In an article by ABC News, she says proudly:

Initially we were only about 20 girls. Almost 90% of us did well, some went to college, others started projects. The community began to see our power, and encouraged their children to join, Nhanga is now seen as cool.

Traditionally, Nhanga, “girls’ bedroom,” prepared girls for marriage. Now it teaches empowerment. Under tents, girls gather to discuss sexuality, child marriage, teen pregnancy, gender bias, education, economic empowerment and the law. They also learn practical skills like poultry rearing, farming, and soap making.

“This is a safe space, every girl feels free,” said 18-year-old Anita Razo, who joined Nhanga at 14 and now mentors others.

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