our programmes
Psychological Support
The foundation of PHOEBE’s work is to provide psychological support services to women with mental health conditions. We have a Memorandum of Understanding from the Ministry of Health and maintain ongoing partnerships with Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals ANNEXE and Harare Central Hospital Psychiatric Unit. Working alongside healthcare professionals in these institutions allows us to advocate for women and ensure they receive quality, person-centred care.
Expert by Experience Feminist Training Program
PHOEBE has long recognized the expertise and unique knowledge of women who have lived experience of mental health conditions. These “Experts by Experience” are often involved in helping to run our programmes and educate the local community on mental health. To support these women in developing their skills and capabilities, and to provide a formal framework for their knowledge, we have recently developed a specialized Expert by Experience Feminist Training Program.
Intersectional Safeguarding Consortium
The Intersectional Safeguarding Consortium is a new coalition of schools working towards strengthening child protection, mental health and SRHR safeguarding for women and girls. The consortium aims to create safer learning environments, where staff are able to recognize and respond to issues at an early stage. We have developed this initiative in response to the lack of child safeguarding intervention in schools, where policies are often insufficiently implemented.
Girls Kick Out Depression
One of our long-standing programs at PHOEBE, Girls Kick Out Depression seeks to help young girls combat anxiety and depression through recreational activities which build self-esteem. Low-self-esteem and problems with body image are often root causes of many mental health problems in adolescent girls. Our innovative project combines physical activity with mental health education, creating a supportive environment where girls can discuss issues which affect them. PHOEBE holds frequent workshops in schools to encourage self-confidence, reconstruct negative self-talk, body confidence and exploring how to manage emotions during adolescence.
African Feminist Theatre
Our African Feminist Theatre group works with women with mental health conditions, supporting them to use performance as a way to creatively express themselves. The program aims to empower vulnerable women with mental ill health, who are often stigmatised and marginalised within Zimbabwean society. We create theatre which explores the issues affecting their lives, such as gender based violence, stigma and discrimination. Using drama in this way is a form of therapy, where intentional use of play and theatre helps to develop insight into new problems and strategies for dealing with current issues.
Ambling Africans
A large body of evidence has shown that physical activity and exercise can help to prevent common mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and have multiple beneficial effects on both physical and mental health (Schuch and Vancampfort, 2021). In fact, international guidelines now propose that physical activity should be integrated into mental health care. Ambling African Women puts this evidence into action. We organize regular group walks into the countryside and green spaces surrounding Harare. This is a special opportunity for women of all ages can come together to walk and talk, whilst also enjoying the local nature.
