Chief lauded for empowering the girl child

By Archford Chirimudombo

MARONDERA- Chief Mangwende was recently lauded for his efforts in empowering the girl child following his introduction of the Tseketsa Kumwanasika initiative.

The programme introduced by the Chief helps the young girls to make small savings that can help them to buy their basic necessities such as pads without seeking assistance from strangers, some who end up abusing them taking advantage of the girl child’s desperate situations.

In Murehwa, which is among the districts with high child marriage incidences, Chief Mangwende introduced the Tseketsa Kumwanasikana programme to empower the girl child. The move came after it was realised that some young girls were falling prey to abusers as they would be in desperate situations.

Speaking at a gender consultative meeting in Marondera, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development’s Tendai Nyamadzawo said such efforts by traditional leaders go a long way in curbing the abuse of the girl child.

“As part of our efforts to address the issue of child marriages, we always engage all stakeholders and that includes traditional leaders. Traditional leaders that have been embracing our programmes have shown their commitment to end child marriages. Some have formed community charters committees that monitor situations and take appropriate action against those who marry young girls and who initiated such improper marriages,” said Nyamadzawo.

In Chikomba district, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development is providing safe shelter to survivors of gender-based violence and last year, more than 500 women were accommodated there.

At least 240 survivors of gender-based violence were trained on life skills and some are now into projects like horticulture, poultry and detergent-making, among others.

There is also a one-stop centre at Murehwa district hospital where survivors of gender-based violence are provided services at one place.