Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
MOUNT DARWIN – EFFORTS to eliminate child sexual exploitation in Mashonaland Central Province have reached a critical stage with traditional leaders now spearheading community engagement activities under the ‘Not in My Village’ campaign launched in August last year by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The campaign, which aims to tackle child sexual abuse, early marriages, and gender-based violence has entered its grassroots implementation phase, with 28 chiefs across the province actively engaging local communities.
Educational outreach efforts are being undertaken through village meetings, school visits, health centres, and community gatherings.
Miss Agnes Kamudyariwa, the provincial facilitator of the Young People’s Network on Health and Wellbeing, welcomed the involvement of traditional leaders in addressing a challenge that has long affected girls in the region.
“As a girl child, it pained me greatly to see my peers’ rights being violated through early marriages. Many of them had to abandon their education, losing the chance to fulfill their dreams. There are also serious health risks so I am happy that this campaign has been embraced by the Chiefs. They have promised to educate their communities on the dangers of marrying off young girls,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chiefs are taking a firm stance against communities that facilitate or celebrate child marriages, with some warning that attendees at such events may also be held accountable.
Speaking during a community sensitisation session, Chief Negomo emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to end child sexual exploitation.
“We are ready to go to our headman and all those we meet, teachers, in schools’, hospitals, where ever people are gathered, we are ready to make a holistic approach and end this problem of child sexual exploitation. Here in Mashonaland Central, especially Mount Darwin, Shamva, and here in Mazowe is where the greatest problems are because of mining activities. Now on the issue of child marriages, As Chiefs we have seen that those who will gather and celebrate marriage of children will be culpable of crime because you cannot take part in such gatherings, so we have taken it upon ourselves to go to all areas and homes to end this scourge,” he said.
Chairman of Mashonaland Central Provincial Chiefs Council, Senator Chief Matsiwo, raised concerns about cross-border challenges along the Mozambique frontier.
“This programme is enriching us as traditional leaders. It aligns with our cultural values which discourage child marriages. However, in some areas near the border, young girls are being married by individuals from Mozambique. Our powers are limited beyond the border. It is our hope that other SADC countries adopt similar laws to protect children across the region,” he said.
Mr Edgar Muzulu, Provincial Manager of the National Aids Council (NAC), said the campaign would rely on data gathering and documentation to monitor progress and identify hotspots of gender-based violence.
“Chiefs have been capacitated with guidelines and educational materials for the campaign. We aim to document the nature and prevalence of gender-based violence in each area to develop a data-driven response,” he said.
The initiative also seeks to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS, which has been closely linked to child sexual exploitation and early marriages.
The Chiefs will collaborate with District Development Coordinators, NAC, and the Young People’s Network to carry out roadshows and radio programmes across all districts in the province.
