Inside a white tent warmed by a crackling wooden fire in Shamva, rural northeastern Zimbabwe, about two dozen girls gathered on October 15, 2025, to revive an ancient tradition with a thoroughly modern twist. The air was filled with anticipation as the girls, shoes off and seated on mattresses, joined hands and chanted, “it’s so nice to be here.” This was no ordinary get-together. They were participating in Nhanga, historically known as the “girls’ bedroom”—a space that once prepared adolescent girls for marriage. Today, it’s been reinvented as a peer-led movement to resist child marriage and empower girls to shape their own futures.
In centuries past, Nhanga took the form of a round, thatched hut, a female-only enclave where girls learned obedience, marital duties, and the moral lessons expected in a patriarchal society. “The new Nhanga is a cultural innovation dealing with modern problems,” explained Nokutenda Magama, programs officer with Rozaria Memorial Trust, the nonprofit at the forefront of this revival, according to the Associated Press. Now, the tradition has been turned on its head: rather than preparing girls for early marriage, Nhanga provides a safe space to discuss sexuality, child marriage, teen pregnancy, gender bias, education, economic empowerment, and the law—topics that remain taboo in many conservative homes.
“This is a safe space; every girl feels free,” said Anita Razo, 18, who first joined Nhanga at 14 and now mentors younger participants. The sessions are organized by age—some as young as five, others women over 35—and include practical skills like poultry raising, farming, and soap making. Elders, including senior government officials, are sometimes invited, ensuring mentorship flows across generations and that the initiative remains rooted in community.
This reinvention comes at a critical time. According to UNICEF, one in three girls in Zimbabwe marries before the age of 18—a statistic the United Nations Children’s Fund has labeled “a national emergency demanding urgent action.” The problem is not unique to Zimbabwe. Across East and southern Africa, child marriage rates are similarly high, while central and West Africa see rates exceeding 40%. Niger holds the grim record, with 76% of girls marrying before 18, the highest globally.
While Zimbabwe and many other African countries have outlawed child marriage and even amended abortion laws to loosen restrictions for girls under 18, enforcement remains weak. Poverty, entrenched cultural and religious customs, and social stigma continue to drive the practice underground. “Laws are important … but it is critically essential to reach to the girls themselves, to do the shift in the social norms in our communities,” said Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, deputy executive director at UN Women and founder of Rozaria Memorial Trust, as reported by the Associated Press. Gumbonzvanda, who started the trust in 2007 in honor of her mother—married at just 13—calls child marriage “essentially rape and sexual exploitation” and emphasizes that legal reform alone is not enough.
The story of Samantha Chidodo, now 26 and a final-year law student, illustrates both the challenges and the hope that Nhanga has brought. Forced into an abusive marriage at 17 to a man nearly a decade older, Chidodo recalls, “All I wanted was to play and think of my future. Suddenly I had to be a mother and wife.” She described being so unprepared for motherhood that a neighbor would take her crying baby, feed him, and return him while she slept. After two years, Chidodo left the marriage, enduring stigma as neighbors warned others not to associate with her. With support from Rozaria Memorial Trust, she returned to school and became one of the modern Nhanga pioneers. “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,” she said. “Nhanga is now seen as cool.”
Today, more than 200 girls in Chidodo’s village alone participate in Nhanga sessions. The model has spread beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, reaching communities in Zambia and Sierra Leone and even finding its way to African Union and United Nations forums. Schools across Zimbabwe have adopted the approach, further embedding it in the country’s social fabric.
But changing minds and customs isn’t easy. Because child marriage is so deeply rooted in culture and religion, girls and organizers sought the backing of chiefs and village heads—the traditional custodians of local customs. According to local village headman Xmas Savanhu, leaders now enforce rules against early marriage. Offenders must pay a cow as a fine, which is held in trust by the chief for the girl’s education. “This ensures she can return to school without financial worries,” Savanhu explained, noting that offenders are also reported to the police. Chiefs partner with NGOs to help young mothers resume their studies, further bridging the gap between tradition and progress.
Despite these advances, significant obstacles remain. Enet Tini, a teacher and mentor whose school adopted the Nhanga model, welcomed a recent government policy allowing girls to return to school after giving birth. However, she pointed out that many parents are reluctant to support their daughters. “The gap that we have lies with the adults. They view pregnancy or child marriage as indiscipline so they think the girls should be punished,” Tini said. This highlights the importance of girls-led initiatives like Nhanga to change attitudes—not just among peers, but within the broader community.
Peer influence, it turns out, can be a powerful force for good. “If we can pressure each other into behaving badly, then we can also influence each other to act positively,” said Razo, the young mentor. The sessions—often blending dialogue with activities like “girls and goals” soccer tournaments—help girls build confidence, learn new skills, and support each other through life’s challenges.
The Nhanga revival has not only created safe spaces for girls but also sparked a wider conversation about gender, tradition, and the future. It’s a testament to the power of community-driven solutions and the resilience of young women determined to rewrite their own stories. As the movement grows, its message is clear: while laws and policies are crucial, the real change begins when girls themselves are empowered to take the lead.
In the heart of rural Zimbabwe, a centuries-old tradition is being reimagined by those it was meant to shape. The girls of Nhanga are proving that, with support, solidarity, and a safe space to speak, they can transform not only their own lives, but the future of their communities as well.