Savanna Trust and Family Support Trust Are Using Theatre to End SGBV in Schools

In a collaboration aimed at tackling Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) among young people, Savanna Trust has partnered with Family Support Trust (FST) to empower adolescents across Harare through theatre-based education and advocacy. The partnership brings together the creative power of the arts and the technical expertise of social health practitioners to address one of Zimbabwe’s most pressing social issues - SGBV. At the heart of this initiative is a simple yet powerful idea: when young people understand, express, and act, change begins. Savanna Trust, known for its innovative use of theatre for social transformation, is leading the capacity-strengthening component, training students in high schools across Harare to use performance as a tool for dialogue and awareness. Through the theatre workshops, learners are not only developing acting skills but also learning to dramatize and reflect on real life experiences related to gender norms, abuse, consent and respect. On the other side, Family Support Trust brings in the technical and educational expertise, offering students accurate, age-appropriate information about SGBV - what it is, how it manifests, and where to seek help. Their sessions unpack the legal, psychological, and social dimensions of gender-based violence, equipping adolescents with the language and knowledge to protect themselves and others. The partnership between the two organizations is more than a collaboration: it’s a fusion of art and advocacy, of creativity and care. By blending theatre and technical education, young people are not just being informed - they are being empowered to lead change. Results from the schools involved are already showing as teachers report that students are speaking more confidently about issues previously considered taboo. In some schools, learners have gone on to form drama clubs dedicated to promoting gender equality and challenging harmful practices such as bullying, shaming, and discrimination based on gender. For many students, the experience is transformative. Through role-play and storytelling, they learn empathy, self-expression, and the power of voice. As Savanna Trust and Family Support Trust continue this work, their vision is clear - a Zimbabwe where every child, regardless of gender, grows up in a society that values respect, equality, and safety.