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By Hillary Munedzi
A call has been made to community leaders to mobilise society to take steps to readmit teen mothers to school as the problem of child marriage continues unabated despite the existing of laws that criminalise the vice.
Climate change has exacerbated the challenges being faced by the girl child in Zimbabwe with the after-effects of Cyclone Idai still needing to be attended to, whilst Covid-19-induced lockdowns and hardships saw some girls impregnated as some malcontents lured them into sex in exchange for food and other necessities.
Climate change has caused increased drop-out rates, school attendance rates, reduced study time, and limited participation in extra-curricular activities as well as the continuation of higher education.
As Zimbabwe commemorates the 10th Anniversary of International Day of the Girl Child which is running under the theme “Our time is now” Our Rights, Our Future”, women and girls face increased vulnerabilities to all forms of gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence, human trafficking, child marriage, and other forms of violence.
“Whilst our focus today may be on the right to education, ladies, and gentlemen, boys and girls, let’s not forget other rights since these rights cut across each other. We should know that our girls have the right to identity, shelter, health, and many others.
“It is important for us as actors to continue to collaborate with each other so as to ensure that all challenges facing the girl child are addressed. Addressing challenges that the girl child is facing is not a one man’s or woman’s task, but it needs a multisectoral approach,” said Mr. Patrick Zumbo, the Deputy Director – Advocacy and Communications, Ministry of Primary and Secondary education speaking on behalf of the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Hon. Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu at a workshop organized by the Education Coalition of Zimbabwe (ECOZI) in Harare recently.
Most rural girls are failing to access sanitary wear. This has affected their education since they will not be able to attend school because they can’t afford to buy sanitary wear. The government has been urged to address this pertinent issue which is leading young girls to date sugar daddies so that they can buy this basic commodity, a situation that is leading to unwanted teen pregnancies.
“We have taken note of all the key asks by the girl child which includes bullying, sanitary wear, the need for school feeding which assists on issues of retention of learners, the need to engage community leaders on re-entry policy and supporting young adolescent mothers. Currently, the government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is reviewing the child safeguarding policies and aligning circular P35 to the New Education Amendment Act of 2020,” said Mr. Zumbo.
He warned that so much emphasis has been placed on the girl child, whilst neglecting the boy child who is fighting the issue of drug abuse, and said there is a need to engage them so that they will be rescued from the ills of society.
“Finally, whilst we continue to mobilize support and solidarity for the girl child, it is important not to ignore the challenges that are facing the boy child. The boy child is running into extinction hence the need to address this. We are aware of how the boy child is being affected in small mining towns and also border towns,” he said.