Across Southern Africa, and perhaps beyond, initiation rituals and rites of passage have long been central to cultural identity, marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. While these practices carry significant cultural meaning, many perpetuate gender-based violence, particularly against young girls. Among the Varemba in Zimbabwe and various ethnic groups in Malawi and Zambia, such rituals often involve practices that violate the rights and well-being of girls, leaving lasting physical, psychological and social scars.
The Varemba ethnic group, located in Zimbabwe’s Zvishavane district, is distinguished for its tightly guarded cultural traditions. Key among these are the initiation schools known as Komba for girls and Murundu for boys. These schools serve as sites for the transmission of tradition and cultural values from one generation to the next. For girls, however, participation often comes at a steep cost. Practices such as virginity testing and fertility examinations are common, subjecting young girls to intrusive and dehumanizing procedures that undermine their autonomy and dignity.
Female genital mutilation is another widespread practice, justified as a means of preserving purity but causing immense harm. In addition, child marriages are frequently arranged as a way to cement alliances and uphold community norms, forcing girls into adult roles they are unprepared for. Many are removed from school, robbed of their education and potential, and thrust into early pregnancies and domestic abuse. The secrecy that shrouds the Varemba’s practices has shielded them from scrutiny and external efforts to intervene.
In Malawi and Zambia, initiation rituals vary across ethnic groups but share a troubling similarity in their treatment of girls. Among the Yao people of Malawi, for example, initiation involves the hiring of an older man, known as a fisi or hyena, to have sexual intercourse with newly initiated girls. This is seen as a way of preparing them for adulthood and solidifying their transition into womanhood. Girls as young as ten years old are subjected to this form of exploitation, which not only exposes them to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, but also inflicts lasting psychological trauma. In some communities, girls are required to perform sexual acts under the guise of cultural obligations, normalizing exploitation at a young age.
Zambia’s Nkolola initiation ceremony, while less overtly exploitative in its activities, also perpetuates systemic gender inequality. The ceremony teaches girls how to run a household and please their future husbands, reinforcing their subservience and preparing them for early marriage. These lessons solidify the idea that a woman’s worth lies in her ability to serve men, creating social norms that stifle independence and self-determination.
Many girls who undergo these ceremonies are encouraged to leave school, further curbing their opportunities and trapping them in cycles of dependency. These initiation practices also normalize the sexualization and exploitation of girls, embedding harmful ideologies into the fabric of society. The focus on early sexual initiation and marriage denies girls the chance to develop their identities and pursue their ambitions. Education, a fundamental right and a pathway to empowerment, is often disrupted as girls are pulled out of school for weeks-long ceremonies. Many never return, their futures narrowed to fit traditional gender roles.
Health risks also prevalent, with practices like female genital mutilation leading to infections, childbirth complications and lifelong physical pain. Sexual exploitation during initiation rituals often involves unprotected encounters, placing girls at a heightened risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. Psychological trauma is another significant consequence, as these practices leave deep emotional wounds that can take years to heal, if at all.
The social structures reinforced by these rituals perpetuate a cycle of inequality and violence. Training girls to be submissive and dependent, entrenches patriarchal norms that subordinate women and expose them to further abuse. In many cases, the rituals provide a framework that legitimizes gender-based violence, making it difficult to challenge or uproot these norms within the community.
While deeply ingrained cultural practices cannot be changed overnight, pathways to reform exist. Community education is vital to raising awareness about the consequences of harmful traditions and fostering dialogue around alternatives. Governments must enforce laws that prohibit child marriages, female genital mutilation and sexual exploitation, ensuring that these practices are not carried out under the guise of culture. Traditional leaders, who hold significant influence within their communities, should be engaged as allies in promoting safer and more empowering rites of passage. Alternatives to harmful rituals can be designed to preserve cultural identity without compromising the well-being of girls. These could include celebrations that focus on education, empowerment and personal growth rather than subjugation and exploitation.
The tension between preserving cultural traditions and protecting human rights is a complex challenge, but it is not insurmountable. By addressing the harmful elements of initiation rituals and promoting gender equality, communities in Southern Africa can honor their heritage while ensuring the safety and dignity of their young girls. Transforming these practices requires collective action, empathy and a commitment to change, paving the way for a future where culture and human rights coexist harmoniously.
A Call to Action
Ending gender-based violence against young girls requires urgent action from all of us. Communities, leaders and governments must come together to challenge harmful traditions, enforce protective laws and create spaces where girls can grow free from exploitation and fear. Speak out, support education and demand change to ensure that every girl can live with dignity, opportunity and the freedom to shape her own future. The time to act is now—protecting young girls is protecting the future.
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