My Age Africa, recently convened a Community Dialogue with Religious Leaders in Masvingo, bringing together 20 faith leaders from Apostolic, Pentecostal, African Initiated Churches (AICs), mainstream Christian denominations, and the Muslim community to strengthen their role in addressing harmful social and gender norms that affect the health and wellbeing of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).
The dialogue created a safe platform for participants to reflect on how faith institutions can contribute to advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) while remaining true to their values and responsibilities. Through Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) exercises and interactive discussions, participants explored issues including gender equality, bodily autonomy, gender-based violence, HIV prevention, menstrual health, and the importance of strengthening referral pathways to youth-friendly SRHR services.
A key outcome of the dialogue was the recognition that faith leaders can play a critical role as trusted community gatekeepers by promoting positive social norms, reducing stigma, and connecting young people to appropriate SRHR services through partnerships with technical organisations such as My Age Africa.
The dialogue concluded with participating religious leaders committing to champion inclusive and supportive faith spaces, strengthen collaboration with My Age Africa, and facilitate referrals that improve adolescents’ and young people’s access to accurate SRHR information and services.
Through partnerships with faith communities, My Age Africa continues to advance community-led, gender-transformative approaches that promote the health, dignity, and rights of adolescents and young women and girls across Zimbabwe.
