Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE government, in collaboration with development partners, is stepping up sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education in Chipinge to address the district’s rising teenage pregnancy rates.The high number of teenage pregnancies has raised serious concern, prompting intensified efforts to combat child sexual exploitation through comprehensive sexual health education and empowerment initiatives.
Local traditional leader Headman Zamuchiya spoke on the dire situation where she recently presided over 12 cases of child sexual exploitation.
“Since the start of this programme, I have presided over 12 cases of child marriages. Three of the sexually exploited girls are mentally challenged. We are educating our people. Child sexual exploitation was rife in this community, with others dying while giving birth. As a female headman, I appreciate the programme by the national AIDS council, which has reduced cases of sexual exploitation. These are some of the harmful practices which must be shunned. We want to thank the government for spearheading programmes that speak to the concerns of the children,” she said.
The young mothers in Checheche, Chipinge, emotionally share experiences that led them to be abused at tender ages and are grateful for the support they are getting from the National AIDS Council (NAC) and its partners.
“I gave birth when I was 17 years old. I was living with my uncle and aunt because I am an orphan. I resorted to prostitution for survival. This programme is transforming my life. I want to focus on vending to survive,” a teen mum said.
“I gave birth at 15 after completing my Grade Seven. The father of my child disappeared while I was pregnant. I am an orphan as all my parents are late now. I was staying with my uncle, who moved to Mozambique after the death of his wife,” a teenager said.
“I gave birth at 16 years. I was not going to school and was vending in town. My uncle chased me away after I became pregnant, and I gave birth alone. I almost died,” another teen mum said.
The National AIDS Council (NAC), in partnership with the Organisation of African Ladies on Development (OAFLAD), with support from the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, rolled out the programme to reduce alarming levels of teenage pregnancy and lessen the vulnerability of adolescent girls between the ages of 10 and 19.
“This programme is being implemented by the National Aids Council on adolescent pregnancy and maternal health. We are focusing on women between 10 and 19 who are pregnant or have children. This programme is funded by the Organisation of African Ladies on Development. This programme is implemented by NAC with the support of the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa.
“This programme is only being implemented in Chipinge within Manicaland province. Chipinge has the highest pregnancy burden among teenagers. Checheche and Chinyamukakwa are some of the hot spots. This programme targets 25 mothers, and we want to empower them and educate them on maternal health. We also want to reduce mother-to-child transmission. This programme wants to reduce vulnerability. This programme is a predecessor to the not in my village campaign to reduce early marriages,” Chipinge District Aids Coordinator NAC, Doreen Jambaya said.
With teenage pregnancies being common along the border areas, there is a growing call to expand programmes that discourage harmful practices to all high-risk areas.
