THE second creative reproductive health art for transformation (CRAFT) festival, launched last friday in Harare, tackled the interconnectedness between sexual reproductive health (SRH) and drug and substance abuse.
Partners and participants acknowledged the dangers these intertwined problems pose to young people, a sentiment that echoed throughout the event.
CRAFT, the brainchild of Students And Youth Working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT), and its long-time partner, the Swedish embassy in Zimbabwe, view art as a powerful tool, a vital weapon in the fight to promote positive health-seeking behaviours among young Zimbabweans.
The festival’s theme, Youth Voices Unleashed: Addressing the Nexus between Drug and Substance Abuse, Sexual Reproductive Health and Gender-Based Violence, set the stage for impactful discussions and creative expression.
The festival attracted young artists under the age of 24 from across the country to showcase their work through hip-hop and dancehall cyphers and dance performances.
The event also featured the launch of Choices 2, a film produced by CRAFT finalists, designed to illuminate the importance of making informed health decisions.
Sweden’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lindgarde, emphasised his country’s commitment to supporting youth initiatives.
“Art has the unique ability to transcend boundaries, evoke emotions and inspire action. This festival provides a platform for young voices to be heard, for stories to be told and for communities to come together in understanding and solidarity,” he said.
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Added Lindgarde: “Through art, we can craft a drug-free Zimbabwe, we can end gender-based violence and we can ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights of students and youth are realised.”
A deputy director with the Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training ministry Osward Mudhunguyo underscored the critical link between SRH and substance abuse.
“Individuals who struggle with substance abuse may have limited access to sexual health services and education, which can prevent them from seeking the help they need,” he said.
“By addressing these interconnected issues, we can create a supportive and informed environment for our youth.”
Tamiranashe Dewa, the inaugural CRAFT music competition winner, highlighted the transformative power of the programme, calling it “an eye-opener and life-changing opportunity that shaped his dream of becoming a national music tower in Zimbabwe”.
He said: “I am getting gigs and I am performing at weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, among others. It has been an amazing journey. I am not afraid to step into the big shoes. I am confident I can share the stage with big names in no time.”
Dewa, a radiography student at the Harare Institute of Technology, believes music can be a powerful catalyst for positive change, a beacon of hope guiding young people away from the destructive path of drug abuse which threatens to derail their dreams.
He champions the use of artistic expression to promote responsible living among his peers.
The success of CRAFT demonstrates that even a small spark of creativity can ignite a wildfire of positive change, empowering the next generation to build a healthier future.
SAYWHAT, a youth-focused organisation with a vision for a healthy African generation, uses multimedia content and tailored health information services to promote positive health behaviours.
Since the inaugural CRAFT competition in 2022, the organisation has seen the more-than-doubling of young people seeking help and information, according to executive director Jimmy Wilford.
