The Editor’s Note Equipping Women with Skills to Meaningfully Participate in Decision-Making Processes Kubahlukumeze njani omamanyana ukuphuza ukuvulwa kwendawo zokuvotela (polling stations kukhetho oludlulileyo Women’s voices under-represented as news sources Women’s participation in politics is a cause of concern Women inclusion in decision-making processes Annah Shiri Elected Senator for Persons with Disabilities Tsholotsho new councillor sets agenda to upskill married young women Young women worried for their future after elections SADC calls for incoming parliament to address low women participation in politics Omamanyana bahlukunyezwa yimiphumela yeDelimitation Tsholotsho residents challenge new leadership to tap into period poverty and child marriages Abesifazana eLupane bacela imizamo yokwehlisa inani labesifazana abadlula bebeletha kanye labantwana abazalwayo CONTENTS 3 5 7 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 20
THE EDITOR’S NOTE It is in retrospect that we truly understand the impact of certain occurrences. This issue of “Her Voice: Electoral Corner” takes us back a month, to the 2023 harmonised elections. As we look back, what has the experience of the 2023 harmonised elections allowed the nation of Zimbabwe to understand? Conversations that the “Her Voice” team had with women from all walks of life in Bulawayo indicates mixed feelings over the just ended election. There are feelings of acceptance, disbelief and anger. Women in Bulawayo are deplored by how voters had to wait for up to 8 hours to exercise their right to vote during the 2023 harmonised election. Women in Nketa, Newton, Njube, and other locations arrived as early as 6 a.m. at polling stations to only vote as late as 3 p.m. This issue then presents the following questions. Why the ballot paper arrived late, get delayed, or lost on the day of voting? Who is to blame for this gross inefficiency and disruption of the voting process that dissuaded more than a million people registered voters from 3 voting? Did the extension of the voting period to the 24th of August 2023 assist previously disappointed voters going to the ballot box or was it already water under the bridge? And, what caused the well experienced Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to fail so dismally when it has been running elections since its inception in 2004? It may never be known why the election concluded the way it did, but a thick air of discontent still hovers over the country and amongst women in Bulawayo. It is clear that no matter the order of the day, the ordinary citizen in Zimbabwe is determined to maintain a peaceable life post the 2023 harmonised elections. However, many are the discussions that are buzzing, all over the globe, with regards to the just ended elections. One such discussion surrounds the question of whether women in Zimbabwe have the skills that enable them meaningful participation in politics and governance. It is clear, from the just passed elections, that women are not capacitated to participate in politics even from community Image Source: Internet Image Source: Internet Image Source: Internet
4 level. There is incredible need for education and leadership programmes that can help would-be women councillors, MPs or “Presidents” to understand budget or draft decisions, create communities, and learn the mechanisms of self-defence against oppression. Otherwise, it will be aluta continua for women participation in Zimbabwean politics in the next “election”, only that victory for women will surely be uncertain. Now that the voting is done with, there is a loud cry for women councillors to remember the plight and needs of other women and thus include them in decision-making processes. Not only that, this issue of “Her Voice: Electoral Corner” introduces us to women who already carry such perceptions and have chosen to be proactive despite their tender ages, have decided to stand up for people with disabilities, and are appealing to their representatives to stop the scourge of child marriages and period poverty in Matabeleland. Other issues the Matabeleland citizenry is appealing for, is their representatives to remember the high rates of maternal mortality in the region so that much needed help is brought to the region. The voices in this issue though confused, acceptant and angry, all are forward looking. There is always a tomorrow. The question is what does it bring? Image Source: Internet
Image Source: Internet 5 By Portia Madzivire Women’s participation in the political processes has increased significantly in recent years, thanks to the efforts of diverse stakeholders, including women’s movements. However, there is still work to be done, particularly in empowering women in communities to ensure they are capacitated with the skills to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes, meetings, and consultations. It is good that stakeholders are tirelessly working to push numbers as far as to call women to participate in decision-making processes. However, what would be great is capacitating them with skills to ensure they partake in decision-making processes with an enlightened mind. Speaking to Nosipho from Cowdray Park, who, on her social media platforms, is pushing for youth participation in climate change issues, she hinted at her journey to empower herself with the knowledge to contribute meaningfully to decision-making. “As a young woman, I was always scared of participating in community, local, or national processes. I was then exposed to some organizations that would come to our communities and encourage us as young women to participate in decision-making processes. I started attending these community meetings and local authority consultations and made efforts to contribute to the discussions. I remember when I attended a budget consultation and started rumbling about issues the central government should address, and I was embarrassingly cut short. This shows how important it is to ensure you know what the consultation is about.” She also emphasized the importance of jotting down some points so you do not forget. “From my experience participating in and contributing to the community or Image Source: unsplash Equipping Women with Skills to Meaningfully Participate in Decision-Making Processes Image Source: Internet Image Source: Internet
6 Image Source: pexels local authority consultations or issues, I also found that jotting down points before the consultation is important so that you don’t forget to mention the important issues.” Due to the limited time that some consultation meetings have, it is essential to capacitate women to ensure that their issues and concerns are heard. The foundation for ensuring this happens is laid before the consultation or meeting. Understanding the meeting and its agenda is crucial to ensuring that concerns or points are relevant and in line with the agenda. Also, jotting points down is essential, and women should ensure that their points are clear, concise, and relevant and that they are heard in the limited time available. When expressing issues or concerns, it is essential to do so confidently. Even when reading points, confidence can be executed. It is also necessary to ensure that your voice is audible so that your issue is heard. When making points, some people may support them while others will not. Regardless, continuing with your points confidently and respectfully is essential, once the noise subsides unless the chair stops you. These are some tips to keep in mind when participating in community or local decision-making processes like consultations and meetings. Women should also advocate for women’s issues because if you don’t, who will? Ladies, let’s lead and make an effort to ensure our voices are heard; our contributions are not small. Thankfully, organizations like The Girls Table equip women with the skills to participate in decision-making processes. Let’s take advantage of them. #WomenLead Image Source: Lupus News Today
7 Kubahlukumeze njani omamanyana ukuphuza ukuvulwa kwendawo zokuvotela (polling stations) kukhetho oludlulileyo. By Zinhle Ndlovu Omama bakoBulawayo bathi kubahlukumeze kakhulu ukuthi indawo zokuvotela ziphuze ukuvulwa ngokhetho oluqhutshwe mhlaka 23 Ncwabakazi 2023. Kunanzelelwe ukuthi indawo ezinengi zokuvotela azivulanga ngesikhathi esifaneleyo u7:00 wekuseni, lokhu kuhlukuluze abantu abanengi njalo kwabangela ukuthi abanye becine bengasavotanga. Umamanyana ohlala eNketa uthi wahamba endaweni avotela kiyo ngehola lesikhombisa ekuseni ezitshela ukuthi uzafika evota ebuyela endlini ukuyaphekela abantwana abesesiya vula umsika wakhe ethengisa ngoba kuyikho aphila ngakho lemuli yakhe . Ubalisa ukuthi wahlala kwaze kwatshaya u 12:00 wemini emile elayinini kungacaci ukuthi kwenzakalani, uthi wacina etshiya ngenxa yokuthi elabantwana abancane endlini abadinga ukuphekelwa lokunakekelwa njalo lebhizimusi yakhe yokuthengisa yayilokhe imile. Akubaphathanga kahle omama abanengi ukutshona ilanga lonke bemile endaweni zokuvotela njalo elangeni, bathi labo bayabe belezinye izibopho (responsibilities) ezindlini ezinjengokunakekela izimuli zabo. Bathi akuzake kwenzakale lokhu eminyakeni edlulileyo njalo akulunganga ngoba kukhipha abantu intshukuntsha yokuvota ikakhulu ebantwini abatsha lalabo ababevota okwakuqala. Image Source: Internet Image Source: gga.org
8 Unkosazana uqhubeka esithi njengoba wayekufunile ukuvota lonyaka, wabuyela wayavota wathola kuthiwa kuvulwe ngo 13:00 emini. Lokhu kwayenza abanye bacina bevota ngobusuku njalo abanye bengavotanga ngoba besesaba ukuhamba bodwa ebusuku ngoba kuyingozi lezinsuku ukuhamba ebusuku, amasela agcwele yonke indawo kanye lezigebenga. ‘Mina ngama elayinini yokuvota kwaze kwabamnyama, njalo njengomamanyana ngacina ngitshiya ngoba ngihlala khatshana ngangisesaba ukuhamba ngedwa ebusuku ngoba kuyingozi, kulamasela labantu abadlwengulayo banengi lamalanga’ kutsho uNkosazana Moyo. Abanye bathi bavota bengasabonisisi kahle abakwenzayo ngoba lezibane ezazikhona zazingakhanyisi kahle Omunye wabomamanyana owayengu mbukeli (observer) e Newton Primary, uthi indawo yakhe yokuvotela yavula ngo 14:20 emini njalo lokhu kwabangela ukuthi inani labomama abancane abavotayo liyehle. Uthi kusukela ku 6 wantambama omama babengasabuyi sokubuya obaba kakhulu. Lokhu kwakubangelwa yikuthi kwasekuhlwile njalo kuyingozi ukuthi omama behambe bodwa emnyameni. Uthi lokhu akulunganga ngoba kuqhubeka kusibisela emuva njengabomama, kuqhubeka kusehlisa inani labomama abaphatheka kwezombusazwe. Omamanyana bayacela ukuthi kukhetho olulandelayo, indawo zokuvotela zivulwe ngesikhathi ukuze omamanyana bevote ngesikhathi esifaneleyo, bengavoti ngapha sebekhathazwa yikuthi bazabuyela lobani emakhaya njalo lemizimba sidiniwe. Image Source: internet
9 By Bekezela Mguni RESEARCH conducted by Media Monitors has revealed that men unlike their female counterparts were the dominate sources prior to the 2023 harmonised elections. According to the research that analysed coverage of electoral period on Zimbabwean media women made up 19% of the news sources while the remaining percentage (81%) was men. This is despite that section 160J (1a) of the electoral act provides that, “all political parties and candidates are treated equitably in their news media in regard to the extent, timing and prominence of the coverage accorded to them”. Participants at the two-day workshop on New Trends and Emerging Practices on Misinformation and Disinformation in Elections held over the weekend at a hotel in Bulawayo challenged the media to be impartial to ensure equal and balance in its reporting. The workshop was organised Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe. Nonhlanhla Mabhikwa, a journalist said, ‘she learnt to be mindful of their language as journalist when talking to women and young politicians because their language is demeaning or shows negative attitudes towards women in politics hence they shy away from being news sources or to be known participants in politics of the environments is harsh for them’. In an interview with this publication, programs officer at Sunshine Cinema Pretty Nxumalo, accused the media for pushing a narrative that women belong in the kitchen. “The questions asked by journalists to women candidates such as how are you balancing work and taking care of your children simple pushes the narrative that women cannot be leaders their duty is with their family,” she said. During the workshop, it also came out that disinformation and misinformation on online platforms have led to women shying away from the spotlight in fear of being victimised. One of the participants at the workshop, Unika Kombora in her presentation gave an example of how women in politics have been victimised through making reference of their private life to muzzle their voices on social media. According to United Nations Women, the media is potentially powerful channels of information as the messages they transmit can change or re-enforce social mores, behaviours and mobilise citizens to take up progressive behaviour. This confirms the power of media shaping up narratives and setting the agenda. Women’s voices under-represented as news sources Image Source: internet
10 Women’s participation in politics is a cause of concern By Mavis Nkomo Women pressure groups in Matabeleland North Province have expressed concern over women’s low participation in the just-ended election. In the 2023 harmonized elections, only 70 women ran for the National Assembly out of 637 candidates, and only a few made it into the race. The Chairlady of the Women Coalition of Zimbabwe Hwange Chapter, Sithembinkosi Ndhlovu, said there’s a general regression in the National Assembly results in Mat North and the whole country. “The number of women directly elected as Members of Parliament continues to decline. Even the 60 % proportional representation cannot cure the constantly dwindling number of elected women MPs.” She said the inability of Zimbabwe to deliver substantive electoral reforms on women’s participation has derailed progress on gender equality and levelling the electoral playing field for women’s movement in women’s leadership and representation in politics. Another Hwange-based women’s forum organization dealing with women’s rights issues has expressed concern over women’s low participation in the just-ended elections. The low participation is disheartening. Even if we have female candidates in the race, he said that the number of female candidates who won is evident enough that the public have no faith in women. Precious Munkuli from Women to Women, a Lupane-based pressure group, indicated a need to support women at all costs because they go through a lot. Many people believe that women in politics have prostituted their way to the top, yet she said that female politicians have sleepless nights working towards achieving their goals. We go out of our way to support them morally and psychologically. Mentally, women go through a lot, especially if they are participating in the campaigns, she explained. Results published by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) showed that very few women made it into the parliamentary race. In Matabeleland North Province, out of 13 Constituencies, only two female candidates won the national assembly seats. In some provinces, such as Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland South Province, all the constituencies in these provinces were taken by their male counterparts. In Zimbabwe, representation of women in local government has been declining since the 2008 elections when the representation of women at the local level stood at 18%. In 2013, it had declined to 16% and by a further two percentage points to 14% in the last election in 2018. Image Source: Linkedin
11 Image Source: Internet Women inclusion in decisionmaking processes By Bekezela Mguni Emthonjeni Women’s Forum Executive Director Sikhathele Mathambo urged new councillors to consider women’s inclusion in decision-making processes as women are affected mainly by issues to do with service delivery. She echoed these sentiments in an engagement meeting between Councillors and Representatives from Civil Society Organisations in Bulawayo on the 19th of September to discuss the vision for the City of Bulawayo. She spoke highly of the need to improve health and streetlights. In her presentation, Sikhathele said, ‘Council clinics are operational on weekdays, Mondays to Fridays, disadvantaging working mothers who may want to take their children or sick relatives to the clinic because they are occupied during the week. So, councillors should investigate opening council clinics on weekends to be accessible to everyone, anytime. Women in Zimbabwe comprise the largest population, constituting 52%, but are sidelined in decision-making processes. This is evidenced by the outcome of the 2023 harmonised elections, where only 22 women candidates made it to the National Assembly out of 210 candidates. Sithembiso Moyo, a women’s rights activist, noted, “It is imperative to include women in decision-making processes and policies because we cannot make rules and policies for women without women. So, it’s important to include women to hear their voices. We have seen laws that tend to sideline women because those laws were made for women without them being involved.” Equal participation of women and men in decision-making makes governments more representative of the composition of the society and promotes democracy. Image Source: Internet
12 Annah Shiri Elected Senator for Persons with Disabilities By Tariro Gurure Disability advocate and President of The National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ) Annah Shiri was elected Senator to represent people with disabilities in the upper house on Saturday, August 26, 2023. Senator Annah Shiri was chosen by organizations of persons with disabilities and their representatives, and she will serve in the Senate for the next five years. This electoral college was established to ensure that persons with disabilities have a voice in the political arena. Annah Shiri, who hails from the Midlands, Zimbabwe, is a woman with a disability, currently serving as the president of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities in Zimbabwe, a multi-award-winning disability champion, philanthropist, farmer, teacher, and politician. She is the former Senator representing persons with disabilities in the Zimbabwean Senate. Annah Shiri has a wealth of vast experience in leadership with undisputed expertise in both public and private sectors, despite working with diverse disability constituencies nationally, regionally, and internationally. She participated in the Constitution-making process in Zimbabwe and pan – African Parliament. During her tenure in office, she participated in the UNCRPD conference at the UN headquarters in New York and advocated for inclusive, accessible tourism in Nepal. She is a candid and seasoned human and disability rights champion in her own right. Recently, she participated in the World Women‘s Assembly for women with disabilities in South Korea. She has a keen eye for changing the lives of persons with disabilities in Zimbabwe. She has helped many women and youth develop and run self-help projects in that regard. Her joy is to ensure that there is inclusive development in all facets of life. Among the female candidates, Annah Shiri emerged as the winner with 128 votes, making history as the first female Senator with a disability to serve a second term. She had previously served in the Senate from 2013 to 2018. She has promised to fulfill her manifesto during this term. “I promise to continue to advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all national development processes. I am glad that we have a disability policy in place, and we will continue to lobby for the full implementation of the guidelines in the policy,” said Senator Shiri. Shiri faced stiff competition from four other candidates, including Nasper Manyau, who had replaced a deceased female senator and had served for less than two years. Manyau came in third with 47 votes, behind Mercy Maunganidze, who had 64 votes. The other two candidates were Lilian Gwanyanya, with eight votes, and Vengai Mutokoti, with five votes. Delays and complaints of missing names marred the elections, as the voting process started after 5 PM. However, the elections were eventually conducted, and Annah Shiri was declared the winner. She will join the male Senator with a disability, elected on the same day. Image Source: Vital Voices
13 About 1.4 million people are estimated to have some form of disability in Zimbabwe. The country was one of the first countries to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2013 and remains one of the few nations in Africa with legislation that specifically caters to people with disabilities. By domesticating the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the country would have moved together with other progressive countries in putting disability on the national agenda.
14 Tsholotsho new councillor sets agenda to upskill married young women By Providence Moyo As she is set to start work, Tsholotsho’s newly elected councillor Sibongile Ngwenya member of the ruling party who was sworn in on Friday has promised to tape into the married young women in her jurisdiction with the aim of uplifting them and stop dependence on male counterparts. Ngwenya revealed this to the Girls Table during an exclusive with the paper laying ber her agenda. “ Tsholotsho has scores of young women who are supposed to be at school but due to different challenges, they are married and because of this reason they are left out on several programmes though we see a lot of programmes that target young women but because of the commitments and obligations of motherhood, these are left lagging behind so it is pertinent for one to at least tape into this marginalized section of the community and upskill them for sustainability and self-development because i value and respect that they got married at a tender age but that should not be a limitation to what they can do but they have to be nurtured to embrace that and shine still”. Ngwenya said she is optimistic that this move will also help fight gender-based violence against women. “The objective is to hit two birds with one stone because once they get life skills, these women will stop depending on their husbands for survival but they will be instrumental tools in building productive homes because they will use the skills to assist at home as the end to dependence has always been argued to be a pertinent tool in reducing GBV. Lack of investment in skill development and job creation exacerbates the plight of young people in Tsholotsho as they face abysmal unemployment rates. The future of Tsholotsho depends on the investments made in its young people but married young people are also young people and given the right skills and resources they can be the drive, and the determination to effect positive change.” Image Source: Internet
Young women worried for their future after elections 15 By Shamiso Ncube Young Women have expressed concern about their future over the continued decline in the number of female politicians selected for Council and Parliament this year. In the past year, women Heads of State and government under the United Nations banner said the representation of women in positions of power and decision-making remained par low, saying women’s leadership was crucial in tackling global challenges and achieving a sustainable future. 22 out of 70 women who contested for elections this year were selected for parliament, with most of them citing intimidation and violence from men as the most major reason behind women’s reluctance to take up political leadership positions. One young woman from Pumula South said less participation of women was a disadvantage to most women, stating women’s concerns in issues of opportunities, public resource management and service delivery were not going to be prioritised. She further stated that her worry is people voting yet there is no other plan on what can be done if the people are not satisfied with the electoral process and the results. Another young woman from Tshabalala also shared the same sentiments stating that the situation is very disturbing because there is not much development as young women are not recognized and there are no policies safeguarding the future of women especially the young ones. ‘Elections have brought more confusion and hardship amongst women since we have a lot of responsibilities that we need to cater for but due to the in favourable results that were concluded it simply shows that us young women will be continue to suffer in the long run’. Most of the young women said they cannot say much because they are still in the process of seeing change which cannot happen overnight . But in terms of practicing transparency ,accountability ,and ending corruption, Zimbabwe is still far from that considering that the ruling party is still holding onto power for years now despite failing to develop the country and provide better living conditions for citizens. Some suggested a coalition government as a way to restructure Zimbabwean government and to execute new ideas into action. Image Source: Internet
16 SADC calls for incoming parliament to address low women participation in politics By Fiona Mpofu The SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) released a statement on the just-ended Zimbabwe harmonised elections, calling for the newly elected parliamentarians to make efforts that will increase the number of women running for office. There was a drop in the number of women who ran for the president’s office from four women in 2018 to one woman in 2023, and at the National Assembly level, there was a drop from 14% in 2018 to 11% in 2023. A drastic drop from 17% in 2018 to 14% in 2023 was recorded at the local authority level. According to the report, the Mission was advised that most women lost at the primary election level; fewer women stood for the National Assembly, and one woman contested at the presidential level. This, they also highlighted, could have been caused by the high nomination fees pegged at USD$1,000 for National Assembly, a rise from USD$50 in 2018 and USD$20,000 for the presidential candidates which is an increase from $1,000 in 2018. According to the SADC report, political parties and other stakeholders acknowledge the importance of the laws and policies encouraging women’s participation in political, social, and economic activities. Laws such as section 80 of the Zimbabwean Constitution: Section 80 Rights of women 1. Every woman has the full and equal dignity of the person with a man, including equal opportunities in political, economic, and social activities. 2. Women have the same rights as men regarding the custody and guardianship of children, but an Act of Parliament may regulate how these rights are exercised. 3. All laws, customs, traditions, and cultural practices infringing on women’s rise conferred by the Constitution are void of the infringement. “Despite the innovations that Zimbabwe has made, such as a provision of the 30% female quarter in respect of councillors for local authorities, the mission noted that a lot more still needs to be done to achieve gender parity in contested/ elected political positions,” said SADC. Image Source: Internet
17 Omamanyana bahlukunyezwa yimiphumela yeDelimitation By Nicolla Jubane Omamanyana bahlumezeka ngenxa yokuqunywa qunywa kwezigaba ePlumtree kuWard 1, kutsho uRenet Mhlanga. Idelimitation yikuqunywa qunywa kwezigaba kukhangelwe inani labantu ababhalise ukuvota ngezigaba ngezigaba. Ukuqunywa qunywa kwezigaba lokhu kulimaze abantu abanengi kakhulu. Bakhona ababebhalise ukuvota abacine behluleke ukuvota ngoba belandele ukuthi izitikitane zabo zokubhalisa ukuvota zazibhalwe ipolling station kuthe emva kwedelimitation kwatshintshwa bona ngokungazi bayazithola besehluleka ukuvota ngelanga lokuvota.UNozithelo Moyo ohlala koBulawayo uthi yena wehluleka ukuvota ngoba engakwazi ukuthi uvotela ngaphi njalo engananzelelanga ukuthi setshintshwe iward. ‘Mhlaka 23 Ncwabakazi ngahamba kuPolling station eyayibhalwe etikitini lami engabhalisa ngalo ukuvota ngethuka ngithola ibizo lami kuthwa alikho, ngazama ukuya kweyinye ipolling station ngaliswela ngakhona ngifunda ngemva kokhetho ukuthi sengatshintshwa isigaba’, kuchaza uNozithelo. Banengi abantu abahluleka ukuvota ngenxa yedelimitation abanye njalo bekhala ngokuthi la abavotela khona sokukhatshana. UAngela Dube ongomunye wababekhangele ezokhetho kumapolling station uthi kulomama owaswela ibizo lakhe epolling station kodwa abantwana bakhe ahlala labo bawathola amabizo abo kuleyo polling station. Indaba yeDelimitation ayihlukumezanga abavotayo kuphela kodwa bakhona emaphandleni abakhala ngamaproject abo. URenet Mhlanga ohlala ePlumtree uthi idelimitation yabahlukumeza kakhulu kumaproject. Uthi wayehlala kuWard 1 kuthe emva kweDelimitation wazithola esehlala kuWard 17. Lokhu kwabaphambanisa njengabomamanyana ababesenza amaProjects. Uthi babeleProject yokulima umbhida kuWard 1 uthi esetshintshwe isigaba esekuWard 17 bamkhipha kuProject. Uthi lokhu kubahlukumeza ngitsho lasemidlalweni yabo yamaqembu ebhola. ‘Okubuhlungu yikuthi icentre yethu ekaward 17 ikhatshana kakhulu kithi yingakho lemihlangano kaWard 17 asikwazi ukuyihambela njengabomamanyana ngoba siswela imali. Isifiso sethu siyikuthi nga singavunyelwa ukuqhubeka ngamaproject ethu kuWard 1 noma ngisazi ukuthi ngikuward 17’ kutsho uRenet ngokukhathazeka emoyeni.
18 Tsholotsho residents challenge new leadership to tap into period poverty and child marriages By Providence Moyo Tsholotsho residents have challenged new leadership in the jurisdiction to tap into period poverty and enhance sexual education to end early child marriages and teenage pregnancies, which concerns rural girls in Zimbabwe. One youth, Nonhlanhla Khumalo, said young women’s health in the jurisdiction hangs on a balance as there is a shortage of sanitary wear, affecting several sections of a girl’s life. “I believe that if we address period poverty, there will be reduced school dropouts in Tsholotsho, especially regarding the girl child. This will be a step towards improving the capabilities and abilities of a girl child, which will mean that if more girls are kept at school. This will reduce Tsholotsho’s child marriage cases, which are even concerning “. Moreso, Siqinisiwe Mhlanga from Opharns and Friends said it is essential to address these issues as they infringe on minors’ rights to education, health, and life. “I work with young women in this area, and it’s a sore sight because you see potential in these children, but that potential ends in the bins because the child cannot explore their full potential as they end up dropping out of school due to such cases and once they are out of school they see motherhood as the next option at their disposal and most of these young people they cannot afford sanitary wear because they are unemployed and so are the parents and the life they know revolves in the area.” Moreover, Tsholotsho youth hub director Zibusiso Sibanda concurred with the previous speakers by adding that there must be a collective effort to end these injustices. “To stem the rising tide of child marriages and teenage pregnancies, our legal system must be fortified with mandatory reporting requirements for hospitals, registries, and NGOs regarding underaged girls. Identifying and punishing the perpetrators is essential not only for justice but also to deter future offenses. Only by collectively demanding legal reforms and ensuring police reports are made can we hope to protect and safeguard the rights of underaged girls and curb the distressing rise in rape cases, particularly in Tsholotsho.” Additionally, he said there has to be compliance with the law, which prohibits sexual escapades with a minor. “The provision of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to persons under 18 in Tsholotsho, for example, is a matter of concern. While the aim is to prevent any potential transmission of sexually transmitted infections, it highlights the failure of our system to address the root causes of these incidents. Instead of prioritizing the identification and punishment of perpetrators, we are solely focused on mitigating the consequences, which, in turn, perpetuates the alarming rise in rape cases.” According to a study conducted by Zimbabwe Care last year, “72% of Zimbabwean girls do not use sanitary products as they cannot purchase them. A further 62% of girls miss school every month due to a lack of sanitary wear. The highest percentage of those directly affected are girls from low-income families, especially in rural areas where cyclical droughts and flooding have affected communities’ way of life, thus putting them in a position where they cannot afford to purchase sanitary products for girls. This creates a recurring vicious cycle that affects the
19 girls’ education and mental well-being as they are stigmatized. The stigma is sometimes felt even at home where parents do not let the girls go out during their periods as they lack the proper sanitary wear.” UNICEF cites that “poor menstrual hygiene can cause physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections. Young girls who do not receive an education are more likely to enter child marriages and experience early pregnancy, malnourishment, domestic violence, and pregnancy complications.” Image Source: Internet
By Providence Moyo Abantu besifazane esabelweni seNyakatho eMatebeleland bathi eminyakeni emihlanu elandelayo kungakafiki olunye ukhetho bakhangelele ukuthi kukhangelwe kakhulu indaba zempilakahle kanye lokuphepha kwabesifazana ababelethayo kanye lensani endaweni yakibo. Ekhuluma laleli iphephandaba, unkosazana Nombulelo Ndlovu ongaphansi kwenduna uMabhikwa uthe abanqobileyo kukhetho kumele balufakele izibuko loludaba ngokwenza imizamo ezanciphisa loludubo ngokwenza kubelula ukuthi abasifazana abazithweleyo bafinyelele kalula emtholampilo. “Izibhedlela zemaphandleni zikhatshana okwenza kubenzima ukuzifinyelela nxa sekufike isimo esibucayi njengokuhelelwa kubanzima ukuthi umuntu ayefika ngesikhathi ngoba kucinwa sekubotshwa inqola kuzanywa ukuthi kuginyiswe umuntu esibhedlela. Kungangcono kwengezwe izibhedlela ezibelethisayo noma ukwengeza inani lama ambulance okuzakwenza ukuthi umthwalo ubelula”. Omunye njalo owesifazana uNkosazana Violet Moyo wengeze ngokuthi kuqakathekile ukuthi kubelesiqiniseko sokuthi ama ambulance ahlala elamafutha eneleyo ukuthi asukume ngesikhathi. “Ngesinye isikhathi uyafika esibhedlela sekumele udliselwe phambili kuswelakale amafutha okukuhambisa sekumele wenze icebo lokuthi ungafinyelela njani lapho ongatgola khona usizo ngakho kuqakathekile ukuthi esimweni esiphuthumayo kutholakale usizo ngesikhathi. Sifake ithemba lethu njalo ku Lupane Provincial Hospital sithi asakhiwe isibhedlela siphAbesifazana eLupane bacela imizamo yokwehlisa inani labesifazana abadlula bebeletha kanye labantwana abazalwayo 20 Image Source: Internet
19 ele abantu bathole usizo”. Umqondisi wenhlanganiso yeLupane Youth unkosazana Zibusiso Moyo wengeze ngokuthi lesi isimo esibucayi senza lande inani labomama ababelethela emakhaya. “Ukubeletha yisimo esibucayi esifuna umuntu ololwazi lwento ayenzayo kodwa abanye esigabeni bacina bebona kungcono ukuthi babelethele ekhaya ngoba emtholampilo kusuke sekukhatshana kanti usane ma lubuya emhlabeni kumele lwamukelwe zingcwethi endaweni enhlanzekileyo kodwa usuke umuntu engaselalo elinye icebo”. Image Source: Afrik 21