From February to October 2024, the Female Students Network Trust (FSNT), with generous support from the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Zimbabwe, implemented the Smart Girls Against Cyber Harassment (SACH) initiative—a bold response to the rising tide of digital abuse targeting young women in tertiary institutions.

Research shows that over 75% of female students in Zimbabwe have encountered cyber harassment, ranging from unsolicited explicit messages to coercive demands for sexual favors. SACH directly addressed these alarming trends through a three-tier campaign designed to build resilience, awareness, and accountability.

Through campus-based Her Cyber Security Awareness Campaigns at the National University of Science and Technology and Manicaland State University, we engaged 300 female students—many from ICT disciplines—to innovate tech-based solutions that respond to online abuse. These students were equipped with legal knowledge, digital safety strategies, and the confidence to reclaim their spaces online.

Key achievements included:

• Increased knowledge of digital rights and online safety across targeted campuses.
• Growth in anonymous reporting and survivor-led support systems.
• Strengthened collaborations between students, institutions, and advocates for gender-responsive tech policies.

FSNT remains deeply grateful to the Embassy of the Czech Republic for its unwavering commitment to women’s rights and digital justice. Their support enabled a powerful leap forward in our fight to make Zimbabwe’s online and academic spaces safer for every student.