Across communities, just like in Chitate village in Murewa, where girls came together through #BhoraMberiFC friendly match with #ElevenSistersFC, the International Day of the Girl was celebrated through sports, arts and fun. Girls learn, bond and mentor each other through play!
Let's continue to listen to girls in our families, our communities and across the world!
Cleats, Confidence, and Conversations ⚽💪💬
Last week, Amnesty International Zimbabwe participated in the Cleats, Confidence, and Conversations Girls’ Soccer Tournament (1st Edition, 2025), which took place from August 29–30, 2025, at Madziva Mine, Shamva.
The girls' soccer tournament, which Girls and Goals organised in partnership with Chief Bushu, Madziva Teachers College, and other strategic allies, harnessed the unifying power of sport to empower adolescent girls, promote gender equality, and mobilise communities to end child marriage.
Set against the vibrant yet challenging backdrop of rural Shamva, where opportunities for girls are limited by early marriage, gender stereotypes, and scarce sporting facilities, the tournament created a safe, inclusive platform where 16 teams of in- and out-of-school girls from Shamva and beyond competed and learnt. The teams also took part in a dedicated leadership and life-skills bootcamp, co-facilitated by six Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) organizations.
Building on the Mega Nhanga model pioneered by Rozaria Memorial Trust, the event integrated soccer, arts, and culture with intergenerational dialogue and community mobilization.
The programme blended competitive sport with cultural exchange, business opportunities for local vendors, and dynamic SRHR sessions, transforming the tournament into a festival of talent, knowledge, and collective action.
A central feature was the reaffirmation of community-led commitments to protect girls, with Chief Bushu presenting district-level bylaws against child marriage. This blend of traditional leadership, youth activism, and gender advocacy strengthened the link between policy and lived community practice.
Congratulations to the Shedza Queens for winning the tournament, and a big shout-out to all the teams that competed! 🎉🎉🎉
#HealthyBodiesBrightMinds #KickOutChildmarriage #EndFistula #RestoreDignity @MtcGirl@makachikowero@Dreambigld@Girls_and_Goals@vanyaradzayi@gnwp_gnwp@EduCannotWait@GwenTrust@Winnie_Byanyima@PeteVowles@UNFPA_Zimbabwe@clowemorna@GirlsNotBrides@UNFPA_Zimbabwe@amplifyfund@euinzim@DiakoniaAfrica@GBVnet@ecozim@ShamwariyeMwana@RozariaConnects
Very very important. The recently concluded @Girls_and_Goals hosted #GirlsSoccer tournament with 16 teams and 300 athletes discussed these issues in their #MegaNhanga on barriers to girls participation. Having more women as coaches, sports administrators and a zero tolerance policy was stressed.
#GirlsHaveGoals and really want to #BeInTheGame.
Thanks for this initiative @online_zifa
and @UNFPA_Zimbabwe@FariraiG@DekaVimbiso@jayathmadw
It's my birthday today.
Am grateful for the 🎁 of life, health and friendship.
Celebrating this special day, a week post surgery; life has a totally new and deeper meaning.
It's about family, friends, love and connections. Fullness and wholesomeness are not about the body but life -co-dependancies of people and nature, its not just about disability or otherwise.
I celebrate this birthday immersed in the intrigue and joy of girls playing soccer. Cheering each athlete, each team, each partner. Thanks , #GirlsAndGoalsZW, or organising the special tournament at the nd of this month.
A special celebration with girls and young women as we together #KickOutChildMarriage
Thanks , riends!!!
Today marks the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, but our commitment to ending GBV must continue every day.
Let's keep the conversation going and work together to create a world where everyone can live free from fear of violence.
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to be part of the 3rd edition of the MTC girls’ soccer tournament prior to the international day of the girl child.
Today and every day, let's celebrate the strength and resilience of girls in sports who are fighting for social justice
SRHR conversations with the girls. Thank you @MtcGirl for giving us the platform to learn and empower each other as girls and young women
#nhanga@FariraiG@RozariaConnects
Stolen childhoods!
Shattered dreams!
Lost futures!
Lost talents!
Child marriage is a huge threat to girls and societies too.
#EndChildMarriage#ReturnMyFuture