Mathew Masinge, H-Metro Reporter
Girls are continuously experiencing abuse when fetching water at boreholes in Chitungwiza, a local advocacy group has said.
Celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child in Seke last Friday, Girls and Women Empowerment Network (GWEN) director Kumbirai Kahiya said girls were as human as boys.
“We took part in a march today (Friday) joining the rest of the world to celebrate and mark the importance of our girls amongst other people.
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“Our girls have been left behind back in history and by celebrating them we are saying we want their education, health, career choices and roles defined properly.
“We are also calling for an end to all abuses aimed at girls and young women when they fetch water in all areas in Chitungwiza,” said Kahiya.
Kahiya said girls play a huge role in society.
“For ages, girls have been disengaged from realities and not given a voice in the community, our march signifies an end to all that and we are calling for equal opportunities towards the girl child.
“Like their counterparts there should be a defined road for their careers, easy access to education and socio psycho support,” she said.
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Through her organization Kahiya has been using sport as a platform creating girls’ dialogue.
The event hosted in partnership with SOS Children’s Village who are also into promoting food security and care amongst girls.
Chitungwiza Municipality spokesperson Lovemore Meya also took the chance to encourage members of the public to desist from abusing girls.
“As an authority we are refraining members of the public from abusing girls when they fetch water around Chitungwiza, the law will take its course.
“Plans to drill more boreholes are underway also hoping that the water authority will find a way to allocate more water to Chitungwiza,” he said.
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The march was also attended by Chitungwiza District Schools Inspector James Manyadza, officials from the Police Victim Friendly Unit, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
– HMETRO
