The First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has expressed concern
over the high rate of early childhood marriages, gender-based violence and rape
cases especially of minors in Mashonaland Central Province.
She said this at Ponesai Vanhu Children’s Home in Shamva
where she was donating belated Christmas gifts to six orphanages, child-headed
families and to the elderly from all the eight districts in the province.
Mashonaland Central reportedly has the highest levels of violence against women
and children, but the First Lady has vowed ensure that it comes to an end.
“I am embarrased to have realised that this province tops
the list in issues of gender-based violence, rape and early child marriages.
I’m failing to understand the reasons behind all this; what type of poverty has
led our people to marry off their children at a young age; what has led the men
to rape little children and fight with their wives in their homes?
“Today, I’m here on a celebratory note, so, I will not say
much in regard to how this province has become a disgrace to the nation and the
SADC region at large. I will come back and address these issues on a different
day,” she said.
Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Advocate Martin
Dinha also voiced concerns over the issues affecting the province.
“We are deeply disheartened by the issues affecting our
people. It is my wish to see our children grow to be better people tomorrow. I
went to Chipadze on New Year’s Eve and what I witnessed is worrisome. Eleven
and 13-year-olds were getting drunk and doing all sorts of things and the
highest cases of children running away from homes were recorded, and many
others eloped during that time,” he said.
The First Lady’s visit is part of the nationwide visits she
has been conducting to acquaint herself with social issues affecting the
people. She called on Zimbabweans to adopt children from orphanages and give
them a chance to be raised in traditional family set-ups, that would groom them
for the future.
“These children that we are finding in orphanages are
coming from our homes. I urge all of us to adopt them regardless of whose
children they are, and bring them up in the traditional family setup. It is the
collective responsibility of the community, well-wishers and non-governmental
organisations to take care of these children. They are our children.”
The First Lady also handed out gifts to expecting mothers
and promised to hand-out televisions and decoders that were donated by
well-wishers to different homes across the country. Herald
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