Story by Jerald Sasa
A local girl child empowerment organisation, Shamwari Yemwanasikana, is scaling up its programmes in fighting vices that are weighing down on the full development of the girl child.
With the organisation celebrating 10 years of service to the community in uplifting the girl child on Friday, the focus this year is on reducing the burden of the El Nino induced drought on the girl chid.
“I commend the government for declaring a state of emergency, a development that will lessen the burden on the livelihoods of the girl child who is always at the receiving end in times of drought as very little resources will be channeled towards sexual reproductive health leading to early child marriages and sexual exploitation.
“There is need for a multi sectoral approach in resource mobilisation so that the girl child is well resourced during the drought period, you know how it is during such times when the girl child is exchanged for food, a practice which used to be called kuzvarira while others would think early child marriages are the gateway out of poverty,” said Shamwari Yemwanasikana founder, Ekenia Chifamba.
Mr Governor Madzorera, who was representing Chief Seke at the event commended the organisation for its dedication to uplifting the lives of the girl child through its various programmes.
“As traditional leaders we are very much excited about the programmes being undertaken by organisations like Shamwari Yemwanasikana, which have transformed the lives of our girls, as you are aware the girl child has always been vulnerable especially during times like drought.”
Shamwari Yemwanasikana’s 10th anniversary celebrations were held at the organisation’s one-stop centre, Tariro Yedu in Vhera village, Seke, which is under construction.
