Story by Providence Maraneli
THE growing scourge of drug and substance abuse has been described as a major setback to community efforts aimed at combating HIV and AIDS, as well as child sexual exploitation.
Traditional leaders in Matabeleland South Province are taking a leading role in addressing these challenges, working to curb child sexual exploitation, a persistent driver of teenage pregnancies and school dropouts among girls, while also reinforcing the fight against HIV and AIDS.
The chiefs are part of a campaign dubbed, “Not in My Village” campaign, which is being spearheaded by the National AIDS Council.
“We have managed to reduce teenage pregnancies through cultural programmes,” Bulilima, Chief Hikwa said.
However, drug and substance abuse has been identified as a major setback to the initiative by traditional leaders.
“Our challenges are to do with drug abuse, which is being pushed by nightclubs operating in villages,” Umzingwane, Chief Mabena said.
“We have done a lot in combating drug and substance abuse, and teenage pregnancies. Our challenge is that we have cattle sales where people bring all sorts of drugs,” Beitbridge, Chief Tshitaudze said.
Stakeholders who attended the Not in My Village review meeting this Friday called for unity of purpose between the traditional leadership and the National AIDS Council to safeguard the gains in the fight against HIV prevalence.
“Our challenges mostly are because we are not responsible; our children should be our responsibility; it is our duty to protect our children,” Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director, Mrs Beatrice Manjere said.
“We have given you traditional leaders this responsibility because you are the custodians of the people,” NAC Provincial Manager, Mr Mgcini Sibanda said.
The Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe, called on traditional leaders to be firm in fighting moral decay.
“It is indeed so sad to note that teenage pregnancies and child marriages deprive young people of both sexes from achieving their dreams. They threaten the well-being and future of young girls. Teen pregnancies also lead to school dropouts, and this violates their right to education. This then perpetuates the cycle of poverty within our society, creating a dependent generation. This then means that our young generation needs serious guidance. We need to safeguard our society by crafting guidelines protecting against teenage pregnancy and child marriage. The strategy we are pursuing today is very much befitting the national response to HIV and AIDS, for us to minimise new HIV infections by the year 2030,” he said.
The Not in My Village campaign is among many interventions credited for scaling down on HIV cases in the country.
Zimbabwe has surpassed the 95:95:95 target, with 97 % of people living with HIV aware of their status, over 95 % on anti-retroviral therapy (ART), and 96 % of those on ART virally suppressed.
