‘I was the first male to advocate for menstrual hygiene in my community’ – Eliah Kuasiyo’s Journey

It was not unusual, but still tough for a young boy from Shamva District in Zimbabwe to walk to school for 10km and face harsh weather conditions barefoot. Elias Kuasiyo was raised by his mom, who he admits was suffering the hardship of living in poverty, and being the second youngest of 7 siblings, he felt life was progressing quickly for his brothers and sisters, while he lagged behind. 

While he was naturally concerned about the conditions they lived in at home, his biggest worry was seeing young people in his community suffer greater challenges like child marriage, sexually transmitted illnesses, and teenage pregnancy.

Faced with the dilemma of wanting to help his peers, while struggling to help himself, Eliah left school at the age of 17 to work as a taxi operator hailing passengers while speeding taxi drivers zipped through the busy streets of Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare.

“When I got the money, I returned home, paid my school fees, and passed with distinction,” he says. 

“I was very popular at the beginning of my high school career, well known for being involved in sports, music, dance, and being very good at mathematics, but towards the end of high school, I became more focused on my studies. I was then selected to become a junior counselor, a leader representing youth in my community.” 

This would be the beginning of Eliah’s dream to be an activist and tackle sexual reproductive health rights challenges faced by his peers. 

At the time he was 19 years old and decided to form Solace Integrated Youth Club where he selected class reps of 20 members across his school, and they would gather to discuss topics such as climate issues, sexual reproductive health, and institute clean-up campaigns. 

He entered The 500 Innovation Challenge and won $500, which would be the stepping stone to greater achievements. 

“I called my colleagues and we strategised how we could use the money to amplify our club. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic and we collected food hampers for young people living with HIV,” he says. “We also held a sports gala calling members to have mixed-gender teams 50% male and 50% female to teach young people how to unite as different genders and to take care of each other.” 

It was the first time young people in his community hosted a successful event of that magnitude and with $200 left, he was struck with the brilliant idea to gather community leaders such as pastors, members of parliament, school headmasters, and various government departments to host a dialogue with 30 guests to discuss SRHR challenges young people were facing. 

“Now that we had the trust of the community, we started a campaign for menstrual hygiene, and with the help of a well-known YouTube influencer, Sinikiwe Kademaunga, who sponsored 200 sanitary pads. 

“We strategised with our headmaster on how to distribute the sanitary pads. I was the first male in my community to advocate for menstrual hygiene,” he laughs. 

Eliah now wears many hats as the national representative for orphans and vulnerable children at the National AIDS Council, he is also a member of the European Union Delegation in Zimbabwe and an SRHR advocate at Say What which is an international organisation for youth working in reproductive health. 

Today, Eliah is beaming with excitement after being the top winner at SAT’s 2024 Adolescent Activism Award in Zimbabwe, a feat he felt would be impossible after applying for 3 years. 

“It is incredible being recognised at national level in my country, I was so excited at the award ceremony I forgot to eat!” 

But he is aware that there is more work to be done and he’s ready to pull up his sleeves and continue his mission.

“Winning doesn’t mean I’m the best but it was my time. The achievement has already opened more doors for me and my organisation.”

Eliah says young activists should continue to stay motivated in the work they do, whether they gain recognition or not. 

“It’s not about recognition, it’s about doing the practical work. Actions will always speak louder than words, and we need to continue working together for universal access to SRHR for young people.

Empowerment is uplifting others to find their voice and write their own story of hope

My name is Patience K.B. Molapisi. I grew up as an orphan and had to learn how to navigate life’s hurdles without the guidance of my parents. Instead of succumbing to hardship, I learned to turn pain into purpose.

I was born and raised in Botswana, a society grappling with gender inequality, rising cases of GBV, and limited awareness of sexual and reproductive health rights. These challenges didn’t just exist around me, they became my battle. From an early age, I witnessed the detrimental effects of GBV and social stigma on families and communities, sparking a deep desire to bring about change.

After completing my bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences at the University of Botswana in 2022, I began to channel my academic knowledge into grassroots activism. I started by using social media platforms to raise awareness about SRHR, GBV, and mental health.

My writing also played a crucial role in my activism. As a luminary in contemporary Tswana literature, I was a nominee in the Female Rising Star category at the Botswana Women’s Awards 2024. I successfully authored two books, Thokolosi ya ga Matsale and Matlhola a di bona, which highlight the plight of women and advocate for gender equality. These books became more than just stories, they became tools for empowerment.

I was honoured to see my influence grow, with countless testimonies pouring in from people whose lives were changed by my work. Many found the courage to leave abusive relationships, others gained clarity about mental health, and young people became more informed about HIV prevention and treatment. This steady stream of positive feedback fueled my desire to do more.

I was thrilled to see my work gain national and regional recognition. I was invited as a guest speaker to schools and youth events, where I was tasked with motivating students to lead lives of purpose and integrity. I was also invited to speak on TV and radio platforms like RB1, RB2, Duma FM, YTV, BTV, and South Africa’s Star FM which grew my reputation in adolescent activism.

My activism took a significant leap forward when I discovered SAT Botswana’s work on social media. I was inspired by their focus on supporting young activists in the fight against GBV, HIV, and mental health issues. I entered the Adolescent Activism Awards and was excited to be crowned the winner of the Citizen Journalism Award.

I am continuing my work today as the founder of Gontse Foundation, which aims to fight GBV, and I am writing my third book called Mofokodi, which is already creating a buzz on social media. I would like my new novel to be another impactful piece that sheds light on contemporary societal challenges. 

Beyond writing, I would also like to collaborate with film producers to spread my message further. Film is a powerful medium that transcends borders. If we can tell these stories visually, we can reach more people, inspire action, and end gender-based violence globally.

My journey has taught me resilience and purpose, from an orphan navigating life’s challenges to an award-winning activist. I strive to motivate young people to see what is possible when you dare to dream, 

Empowerment is not just about uplifting oneself, it is about uplifting others, inspiring them to find their voice and write their own stories of hope.