Unapologetically Feminist: Grettelle’s Fierce Figh...

Unapologetically Feminist: Grettelle’s Fierce Fight for Equality

Audrey Galawu-Assistant Editor

From the quiet strength of her mother to the loud resistance of a patriarchal world that tried to silence her in Grade 2, Grettelle Tavongashe Gazah's journey into feminist activism was never a choice — it was a calling.

Raised in a household of women — with two sisters and a mother who carried the weight of the family with grace and resilience — Grettelle’s early exposure to strength came from home. It was reinforced in the corridors of her all-girls school, where determination was woven into everyday life.

Yet, the contrast between what women were capable of and how society treated them was stark — a contradiction that Grettelle would later spend her life challenging.

“I saw how society often overlooks and undervalues women’s contributions,” she reflects. “Even as a child, I knew something wasn’t right.”

One pivotal moment came when she was just a Grade 2 student campaigning to be class monitor. She had the class’s support and the passion to lead — but her male teacher shut her down, bluntly saying girls couldn’t “command” a class.

"I didn’t have the language for it back then, but deep down, I knew it was unfair,” she says. “That was the beginning of my fight.”

Today, Grettelle is an award-winning feminist writer and social work student whose voice has rippled far beyond her community. Through writing, advocacy, and her grassroots initiative, 100 Dreams, she is helping rewrite the narrative for women across Africa.

Her writing is both a weapon and a balm. In her work, Grettelle tackles the deeply rooted issues of toxic masculinity, misogyny, gender-based violence, and societal resistance to change. But she doesn’t stop there. Her pen journeys into conversations on race, religion, culture, education, and tradition — all the layers that shape a woman’s reality.

“I write to humanise the struggles of women,” she says. “Because once you see someone as human, it's hard to ignore their pain.”

Her debut book, Being Unapologetically Feminist, was met with fierce resistance from some religious circles.

“The title alone was controversial,” she admits. “But I wasn’t afraid to spark uncomfortable conversations. That’s where real change begins.”

Far from being deterred, Grettelle embraces criticism as confirmation that her work matters. “People think feminism is about being anti-men or anti-tradition. But it’s not. It’s about being pro-equality and pro-humanity. I believe we can honor our culture and still push for progress.”

Her training as a social worker adds a unique lens to her advocacy. Having worked directly with women in vulnerable communities, Grettelle emphasizes the need for intersectional and trauma-informed approaches to activism.

“Understanding poverty, education, and access to healthcare helps me craft more realistic and sustainable solutions,” she says. “And most importantly, I’ve learned to let communities lead the way. Change that lasts is change that belongs to the people.”

This philosophy is central to her 100 Dreams project — a community-driven effort to provide essentials like sanitary wear and stationery to underserved girls. “It’s not just about giving things,” she explains. “It’s about showing them they matter.”

In a society where feminist voices are often muted, Grettelle finds her strength in faith and community. “Prayer is my anchor,” she says. “I believe God placed this purpose in me, and He’s walking with me through it.”

Surrounding herself with like-minded people — “my cheerleaders,” she calls them — helps her remain grounded and motivated. “When it feels like I’m speaking into a void, they remind me of the purpose. They help me see the impact I sometimes miss.”

And the impact is undeniable.

From men who’ve reached out saying her work has shifted their views, to young women who find courage through her words — Grettelle’s voice echoes where it counts most. “It’s those messages, those faces, that keep me going.”

When asked about her legacy, Grettelle doesn’t hesitate. “I want to show that Africanism and feminism aren’t opposites,” she says. “We don’t need to abandon our identity to fight for equality. They can coexist — beautifully.”

She envisions a world where young women are emboldened to advocate for themselves. A world where storytelling is seen as power. A world where every girl knows she is worthy, equal, and heard.

“I want people to remember that we are all gifted — not for ourselves, but to gift others,” she says with quiet conviction. “That’s what I live by.”

Commenting on the worrying rise in gender-based violence post-pandemic, Grettelle is clear: “The violence was always there. The pandemic just pulled the curtain back.” She believes writers and activists must use their platforms not only to speak out but to advocate for better support systems, policies, and education that shifts harmful mindsets.

“It’s not just about shouting into the void. It’s about listening, too. Listening to survivors. Listening to marginalized communities. Then pushing for the kind of change that makes those voices safer and stronger.”

As the world continues to reckon with gender inequality, voices like Grettelle’s are not just necessary — they are transformative. With every word she writes and every girl she empowers, she challenges the narrative that women should wait to be saved.

She reminds us all that sometimes, the most powerful revolution begins with simply refusing to be silent.