Rising with Purpose: Nyasha Tarisayi’s Journey as a Feminist Leader in Zimbabwe

Rising with Purpose: Nyasha Tarisayi’s Journey as a Feminist Leader in Zimbabwe

At just 23 years old, Nyasha Tarisayi is already making her mark as a passionate advocate for gender equality and youth empowerment in Zimbabwe.

With her heart set on helping young women and girls make informed decisions about their lives, Nyasha is living her purpose through her placement with My Age Zimbabwe, a youth-led organisation that champions sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), gender equality, youth participation, and the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

“My name is Nyasha Tarisayi. I’m 23 years old, from Zimbabwe, and my pronouns are she/her. I am passionate about empowering young women and girls to make informed decisions about their lives and promoting equal rights and opportunities for women.”

Feminist Leadership in Action

As a FLAC Fellow placed at My Age Zimbabwe, Nyasha is bringing her feminist values into real-world activism. Her daily work includes:

  • Developing detailed project plans, timelines, and activity schedules

  • Coordinating community champions and mobilizing teams around shared project goals

  • Supporting and documenting youth and gender-focused meetings

Every task is rooted in her desire to drive change and create opportunities for young people especially women to rise.

Learning, Growing, Leading

For Nyasha, the experience has been nothing short of transformative.

“Being exposed to the work at My Age Zimbabwe has been deeply empowering. I’m growing personally and professionally building confidence, developing new skills, and learning how to act on the issues I care about, especially gender equality and women’s rights.”

Through hands-on work, collaboration, and mentorship, she is sharpening her leadership abilities and finding her voice as a feminist changemaker.

Impact in Banga: Advocating Where It Matters Most

Early into her placement, Nyasha joined a team visit to Banga, a rural community where the effects of climate change and poverty are deeply felt. One story left a lasting impression: a young boy forced to drop out of school due to financial hardship. His family, once dependent on farming, now struggles to grow even enough food for themselves as droughts and erratic rains take hold.

“It broke my heart, but it also reminded me why we do this work. My Age Zimbabwe and its champions are working tirelessly to ensure communities like Banga have access to opportunities and support to fulfil their goals and dreams.”

Her time in Banga has strengthened her commitment to intersectional advocacy recognising how issues like poverty, climate change, and gender inequality intersect in real and painful ways.

A Message to Young Women

Nyasha’s voice is strong, and her message is clear:

“To all young women and girls—don’t let what you’ve been through define your future. You are strong. You are worthy. You are powerful.”

Creating the Feminist Future

Nyasha Tarisayi represents the fearless new generation of African feminist leaders rooted in community, driven by justice, and guided by hope. Through the FLAC Fellowship and her work at My Age Zimbabwe, she is helping build a future where every young woman can rise with power, purpose, and possibility.