Code of Conduct
Bwalo works because people feel safe enough to show up alone, talk to strangers, and come back the following week. This code is what makes that possible. It applies to all members and guests, at all events, in all cities, online and off.
We didn't write this to be corporate or defensive. We wrote it because the kind of community we're building is worth protecting — and because “be cool” isn't sufficiently specific.
Respect is the floor, not the ceiling
Every person at a Bwalo event deserves basic dignity. That means everyone — regardless of gender, background, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, age, appearance, or profession.
Harassment in any form is grounds for immediate removal from the event and a permanent ban from Bwalo. This includes but is not limited to: verbal abuse, unwanted physical contact, sexual comments, photography without consent, deliberate humiliation, and sustained unwanted attention after being asked to stop.
If you witness harassment, you don't have to confront it directly — tell a Bwalo host on the night, or email us after.
"No" is a complete sentence
If someone signals — clearly or subtly — that they're not interested in continuing a conversation, that they want to be left alone, or that they don't want to share their contact information, respect it immediately and without question.
Continuing to pursue attention after a "no", however politely phrased, is harassment. We take it seriously every time.
What happens at Bwalo stays at Bwalo
Members share personal things at events — about their lives, their struggles, their work, their relationships. This creates the intimacy that makes Bwalo worth attending. It only works if people feel safe.
Do not share identifying details about other members on social media. Do not screenshot private conversations. Do not post photos of other members without their explicit consent. If someone has shared something personal with you at a Bwalo event, they trusted you with it — treat it accordingly.
This is not a hunting ground
Bwalo events are social spaces, not places to build a romantic pipeline. Genuine connection is fine. Predatory behaviour, treating attendees as prospects, or using events primarily as a venue to find dates is not what this is for.
We're deliberately vague about where the line is because context matters. Use your judgement. Read the room. When in doubt, err on the side of making people feel comfortable rather than pursued.
Cancel if you can't come
Events have limited capacity. When you RSVP and don't show, you've taken a spot from someone on the waitlist who would have been there. That's a real cost to a real person.
If you know you can't make it, cancel your RSVP from your dashboard as early as you can. Life happens — we understand last-minute things — but habitual no-shows without cancellation (more than 3 in 90 days) will result in RSVP access being reviewed.
Don't pitch, recruit, or sell
Bwalo events are not networking events. They're not a place to find clients, recruit employees, or grow your business. Light professional conversation is fine — people have jobs and that's part of life.
Actively pitching your services, distributing business cards aggressively, or using events primarily as a business development channel breaks the social dynamic for everyone else. Don't do it.
Reporting and what happens next
If something makes you uncomfortable during or after an event, you have several options: — Tell a Bwalo host on the night. They're briefed and will act. — Email hello@bwalo.co.zm at any time. Reports are handled by a person, not a bot. — If you're in immediate danger, call the police.
We investigate every report seriously and privately. We will not reveal the identity of the person who reported without their consent. We will not tolerate retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith.
Where a report is upheld, outcomes range from a formal warning to permanent removal depending on severity. We don't do warnings for serious violations.
“Be the kind of person you'd want to meet at one of these things.”