Harare, 27 November 2025 — The Embassy of Sweden in Harare today hosted an emotionally stirring launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), drawing school children, young people, artists, civil society leaders, government officials, and traditional and religious leaders under the theme “Women Thriving: Empowered and Free from Gender-Based Violence.”
Standing in for the Swedish Ambassador, His Excellency Per Lindgarde, the Deputy Head of Development Cooperation, Emili Perez, welcomed guests and stressed Sweden’s long-standing commitment to gender equality. She highlighted the need for collective action to eliminate GBV and child marriages, urging men and boys to lead the movement for change. “Love shouldn’t hurt,” she said, before unveiling the Love Shouldn’t Hurt Wall Exhibition, a vibrant and compelling showcase of real-life stories of women and girls across Zimbabwe.
The exhibition—funded by the Embassy and implemented by Population Solutions for Health (PSH)—features four thematic pillars: Love Protects, Love Empowers, Love Leads, and Love Unites, each illustrating different dimensions of women’s resilience and community transformation. Guests moved along the gallery-like display, pausing to read stories of survivors, innovators, students, and leaders.
The event was brought to life by powerful artistic contributions. Celebrated musician Tamy Moyo gave a stirring performance that had the audience visibly moved.
Tamy Moyo reinforced the day’s message, declaring, “When you empower a woman, you empower a nation.
” Fellow artist Ammara Brown offered an intimate, heartfelt account of her relationship with love, peace, and healing—and her ongoing pride in serving as a Love Shouldn’t Hurt advocate.
“Using my voice for positive social change has been one of the greatest joys of my journey,” Ammara Brown
The crowd also heard uplifting testimonies from graduates of Chaminuka Technical and Vocational College, who expressed gratitude for PSH’s support in their training and personal growth. Their stories reflected renewed confidence, economic independence, and dignity. Several other beneficiaries shared how the Love Shouldn’t Hurt program transformed their lives, including a young woman who escaped an early abusive marriage and now runs a successful sunflower farming business while studying at Midlands State University.
In his address, Dr. Noah Taruberekera, Executive Director of PSH, praised the Embassy of Sweden for its unwavering support.
“Today’s exhibition is not just a collection of photographs,” he said. “It is a visual testimony to the potential of women and girls in a violence-free environment. It showcases their hard work, resilience, and hope.”
He emphasized the importance of each exhibition category—Love Protects, Love Empowers, Love Leads, and Love Unites—in capturing the multi-layered work being done to uplift women and girls. Dr. Taruberekera invited beneficiaries on stage to share short inspirational messages, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The event was expertly guided by Nikki, a Star FM broadcaster, who urged the media to amplify these powerful stories. “The more we tell these stories, the more we drive social change,” she said.
As the exhibition was officially unveiled, the ceremony concluded with one resounding call: to ensure that efforts to end GBV continue long after the 16 days—building a Zimbabwe where women and girls truly thrive.
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Founder of earGROUND, Jibilika and Amplifaya Festival. Creative entrepreneur, cultural producer, award-winning journalist, arts community champion with two decades of dedicated experience.
