Leveraging the power of participatory film screenings to ignite crucial conversations, My Age Africa through the STEPS project recently concluded a series of impactful community and youth engagement sessions across Masvingo, Zimbabwe, leveraging the power of participatory film screenings to ignite crucial conversations. These dialogues centered on the intricate intersection of climate change, sexual and reproductive health and Rights (SRHR), and mental health, aiming to foster collaborative solutions and empower local communities.
Held in Chikutuva Village and Muchachari village in Chitsime Morgenstar, the sessions thoughtfully brought together young people, respected community leaders, and key stakeholders. This diverse group reflected on shared experiences and collaboratively sought pathways toward sustainable solutions.
A central element of the engagement was the screening of two locally produced Community Voice films, “Chamarz” and “Evermore Story” (documented in 2025). These films served as potent catalysts for discussion. “Chamarz” portrays the inspiring story of a rural community in Bikita that tackles water scarcity through innovative, local solutions and traditional savings systems. “Evermore Story” follows a young girl from Tugwi Mukosi, illustrating the enduring repercussions of the devastating 2014 floods on livelihoods, SRHR outcomes, and mental well-being.
In Chikutuva Village, the dialogue, which included both youth and the Village Head (Sabhuku), focused on the direct relationship between climate change and livelihoods. Participants acknowledged the escalating vulnerability of households due to erratic rainfall patterns and declining agricultural productivity.
The youth expressed a strong desire to initiate income-generating and environmentally conscious projects but also highlighted existing gaps in skills and access to necessary resources. The session emphasised the crucial need for intergenerational collaboration, with community leaders encouraging youth to actively seek guidance and engage in collective action.
A tangible outcome of this session was a commitment to organise a community youth meeting, dedicated to identifying and supporting viable youth-led initiatives, with ongoing support from both local leadership and the STEPS team.
