Story by Tamuka Charakupa
AT least 50 young mothers from Makonde District are benefiting from the National AIDS Council’s Sister to Sister initiative, which is equipping them with life and income-generating skills as part of efforts to reduce gender-based violence and prevent new HIV infections.
Bottle by bottle, young women in the Richmond area of Makonde are redefining their future. They are beneficiaries of the Sister to Sister initiative, a programme spearheaded by the National AIDS Council.
Targeting girls aged between 14 and 25, many of whom are school dropouts or young mothers, the initiative provides a safe space where participants discuss sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and other social challenges, while acquiring practical and income-generating skills to build brighter futures.
“We collect empty PET bottles from around our community and use them to package the liquid soap and detergents we produce. The skills we have gained are helping us earn an income instead of remaining idle. The programme keeps us occupied with productive work and gives us hope that we can provide for ourselves and our children,” a beneficiary, Ms Enina Mateko said.
“Before joining the programme, many of us did not know where to seek help whenever we experienced abuse. Through Sister to Sister, we have learnt about our rights and how to identify and report gender-based violence. We now have the confidence to speak out, support one another and encourage other young women to seek help instead of suffering in silence,” Ms Faith Sishopa said.
“This programme has given us a safe space where we freely discuss issues affecting our lives without fear of being judged. We talk about relationships, family planning, HIV prevention, raising children and the challenges we face as young mothers. The discussions have helped us make better decisions for ourselves and our families,” another beneficiary, Ms Nyasha Nyandoro said.
The Sister to Sister programme mentor, Mrs Makaita Madyise, hailed the collaborative effort between Government, development partners and the local community in preventing new HIV infections.
“The Sister to Sister programme goes beyond equipping young women with practical and income-generating skills. It provides a safe and supportive space where adolescent girls and young mothers openly discuss issues affecting their lives, including family planning, HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender-based violence. We also educate them on available referral pathways so that survivors of violence and those requiring health or social services can access the support they need. Through this holistic approach, we are empowering young women to make informed decisions, protect themselves from HIV, and build better futures for themselves and their families,” she said.
As Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, community-based initiatives such as Sister to Sister are playing a critical role in empowering adolescent girls and young women, reducing their vulnerability to HIV infection and gender-based violence, and advancing the country’s prevention agenda.
