Story by Providence Maraneli
THE National Aids Council (NAC) has taken its fight against HIV and AIDS, teenage pregnancies and early marriages to traditional leaders in Matabeleland South through a campaign dubbed “Not in My Village”.
According to statistics from the National Aids Council, more than 100 000 out of over 700 000 people in Matabeleland South are living with HIV, translating to a 17.3% prevalence rate.
Statistics further reveal that girls aged between 15 and 24 account for the high HIV incidence rate, being affected six times more than their male counterparts, while statistics from the Ministry of Health and Child Care paints another gloomy picture on the girl child, where more than 5 000 of the teenage population in the province got pregnant in 2024 only.
ZIMSTAT also revealed that more than 30 000 teenagers were married in 2024 in Beitbridge alone, and it is these gloomy pictures that have jolted authorities in Matabeleland South to act.
“The dire HIV, teenage pregnancies and early marriages situation in the province facing our adolescent girls and young women is a call for action from our traditional leaders and all stakeholders,” NAC’s Provincial Manager, Mr Mgcini Sibanda said.
Traditional leaders are equally worried over the sudden surge in HIV incidences in the border-lying areas.
“As traditional leaders, we need to realise that early child marriages and teenage pregnancies are a violation of human rights, they undermine the health status of young people, and they lower the education status of our society and reduce the economic prospects of our young people. We need to work together, the judiciary and all government departments to prevent these practices among the communities,” Chief Sitaudze said.
“We need to take the message to the community. As traditional leaders, we need to be proactive in this fight to reduce the new infections,” Chief Hikwa added.
HIV/AIDS remains a significant threat to Matabeleland South with a prevalence rate of 17,3% against the National rate of 10,49%.
“It is alarming that all districts have a prevalence rate which is higher than that of the National rate and sadly Bulilima, Mangwe, Matobo and Gwanda districts have the prevalence rates which are higher than the Provincial rate.
“Chiefs as the custodians of our tradition play a crucial role in preventing moral decay hence their direct involvement in this initiative. We believe their active participation will lead to the success of this programme,” Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mrs Latiso Dlamini said.
The National AIDS Council has upscaled its campaign to reduce the HIV incidence rate through the “Not In My Village” campaign.
