Jordan Chanetsa is a trailblazer. At 24 years, the new media practitioner and model already identifies as a queer rights activist in Zimbabwe, a country with a constitution that enforces the common-law provisions and sanctions against and limits the types of legal relationships queer people can enter.
Though she and her colleagues are sometimes in peril because of the work they do, she remains undeterred and continues to bravely fight for rights on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community through digital activism.
“My activism is mainly based online because it can be dangerous for a woman like myself to be doing activism publicly in a public forum,’ she said.
In the mere three years of her practise, she had entered spaces where she engaged with the United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, and other leaders in the LGBTQIA+ activism space to discuss what the future of the rainbow community looks like in the Southern African country.
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A standout model and in her own words “a trance” whose stunning appearance announces her presence before her spine-tingling voice does the talk, she hopes to use her platforms to empower. In honour of her contributions to the discourse of national equality among the historically “othered”, marginalised and discriminated minorities, Jordan was honoured for her activism work by the Netherlands Embassy in 2019 as a gender champion during the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
In 2020, she was among the 300 advocates that joined the Women Deliver Young Leaders Program, a global organisation that lead advocates who champion gender equality and the health and rights of girls and women.
Jordan has also been on the radio on multiple occasions to speak on some hard-hitting topics surrounding the rainbow community and has also been a guest on several podcasts to divulge and opine on related dialogues.
As a burgeoning New Media personality, she hosts “The Naked Truth”, a web series that exercises prominence on Sex Health Education aimed at elucidating taboo conversations about sex, sexuality and sexual health. As well, she also hosts and co-produces “Her Hour”, a fun, cheeky and thought-provoking biweekly podcast about the burden and blessing of being a female in the 21st Century. The show streams on PlayAfrikaTV.
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As a model, she is signed with Top Model Zimbabwe, one of the largest model agencies in the country.
Jordan also writes and performs her writings as page poetry.
Editorial: This month, #enthuse, through our #SheCreatesMarch feature series, celebrates the work of thirty-one Zimbabwean women creatives, the contributions and achievements they have made throughout history, culture, and society. The idea is to elevate visibility for commercial projects and commissions. Discover the work of avant-garde creatives who embody the spirit of the month by uplifting and empowering women. Representing diverse backgrounds and disciplines, these women share one thing in common: their dedication to supporting women and sharing their stories through art and creativity. We are thrilled to share their work. And this month is about them. #ChooseToChallenge
