Munyaradzi Blessing Doma

“Inspire Inclusion: Combating HIV, Advancing Rights”

**Jane Kalweo – UNAIDS Country Director, Zimbabwe**

BY JANE KALWEO

The world is significantly off course in meeting the gender targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the current pace, it will take an estimated 300 years to eradicate child marriage, 140 years to achieve equal representation of women in positions of power and leadership in the workplace, and 47 years to attain equal representation in national parliaments.

As of December 2023, women’s representation in Zimbabwe’s Parliament stood at 34%, falling short of global targets on gender parity in legislative bodies. However, evidence has shown that when women lead, they contribute to more just, equitable, and inclusive societies. Women encounter numerous challenges when running for public office. Addressing legal and policy environments and other barriers that limit women’s political participation is crucial to leveling the playing field. To foster more just and equitable societies, we need to advance the agenda of proportional representation for men and women in parliament. Given that women face a disproportionate burden of HIV, women leadership would significantly contribute to legal and policy reforms that address gaps and barriers in the HIV continuum of care for women and children.

The global debt crisis and pandemics are reducing investment in education, health, and social protection, disproportionately affecting women and girls. Unequal access to education has left 122 million girls out of school, denying them lifesaving information on how to protect themselves from HIV. The unprecedented disruption to education during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated inequalities in access to education for girls. School closures and economic hardships increased the risk of child marriages as families sought to alleviate financial burdens. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 1174 cases of child marriages were recorded, and 4959 girls became pregnant.

The SDG of ending AIDS by 2030 is also at risk. Every week in 2022, 4000 adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 became infected with HIV globally, largely due to inequalities in accessing HIV services. When girls’ rights to education and empowerment are realized, their vulnerability to HIV is reduced. In Zimbabwe, HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women is more than three times higher than among their male counterparts. Many factors increase the vulnerability of girls and young women, including harmful gender norms such as gender-based violence, gender inequalities that exclude them from economic opportunities, and poverty. The Zimbabwean government, through the Zimbabwe National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan (ZNASP) IV Addendum, has committed to reducing inequalities to less than 10% of women and girls experiencing gender-based inequalities and gender-based violence in efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Despite many challenges, women in Zimbabwe have been at the forefront of driving change and leading in the HIV response since the beginning of the pandemic. However, funding shortages, capacity gaps, and regulatory environments limit their ability to effectively contribute to the agenda of ending AIDS by 2030. There is a need for sustained investment in independent, autonomous feminist movements. Progress can only be sustained by putting power in the hands of those whose lives are most impacted by the denial of rights.

The health of young women and girls today is too often shaped by gender-based inequalities and gender-based violence, which increases the risk of HIV infection. One in three women worldwide experience sexual or gender-based violence. Gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations affecting women in Zimbabwe. The ZDHS 2015 estimates that one in three women aged between 15 and 49 has experienced physical violence, and one in four women have experienced sexual violence. Addressing gender inequality and gender-based violence is critical to ending AIDS and accelerating progress towards achieving the SDGs.

UNAIDS Commends the Government of Zimbabwe for showing its commitment to ending gender-based violence through the 2023-2030 National Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. The strategy highlights priority areas for the country and outlines specific actions and strategies for the government and society in their efforts to prevent and respond to GBV in general, and violence against women and girls in particular.

Prevalence rates for child marriages in Zimbabwe remain unacceptably high. An estimated 34% of girls are married before reaching 18 years, and 5% before the age of 15. Ending child marriages and their devastating consequences on the health, development, and well-being of adolescent girls and young women is critical for the advancement of their human rights. The Zimbabwean government has committed to ending child marriages through the Marriages Act and has gazetted the Criminal Laws Amendment (Protection of Children and Young Persons) Bill, 2024. These instruments criminalize the marriage and facilitation of marriage of anyone under the age of 18.

To protect women and girls’ economic and social rights, there is a need to fully invest in women to achieve the 2030 SDGs. This investment is not just about financial resources; it’s about creating an environment where women and girls can thrive, free from violence and discrimination, and where they can realize their full potential.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day, UNAIDS reiterates the need to empower women, combat HIV, advance rights, and position women at the center of HIV response, Human rights, and empowerment.

The Remarkable Legacy of Cde. Dr Karikoga Kaseke: A Lifetime of Service and Leadership

**The late Dr Karikoga Kaseke**, **former Zimbabwe Toursim Authority Chief Executive**

BY KASEKE FAMILY

Harare, Zimbabwe – The people of Zimbabwe and the broader community reflect on the immense contributions of a distinguished servant, Cde. Dr. Karikoga Kaseke, affectionately known as KK. From his humble beginnings to his notable roles within Zimbabwe’s military, transportation, aviation, and tourism sectors, KK has left an indelible mark on the nation and its people.

Born on June 16, 1962, at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Harare, KK embarked on an educational journey that showcased his brilliance from an early age. Despite pausing his studies to join the Liberation War in 1978, KK returned to excel academically and professionally, achieving degrees in Administration, Business, Strategy, and Tourism. His peers often compared his generosity and kindness to that of a local “Mother Theresa,” highlighting his unmatched support and benevolence within his community.

KK’s youthful contribution to the Liberation struggle underlined his dedication and willingness to put country before self. His post-independence military service saw him rise within the Zimbabwe National Army, emphasizing his leadership in intelligence and counter-intelligence sectors.

Transitioning to the transport and aviation sector, KK’s leadership prowess flourished as he assumed roles from Chief Security Officer at the Department of Civil Aviation to CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), bringing significant advancements to the nation’s airport infrastructure.

However, it was as the Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) from 2003-2018 that KK truly transformed the tourism landscape of Zimbabwe. Under his leadership, Zimbabwe achieved several milestones, including hosting the prestigious 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in 2013, revitalizing the Zimbabwe International Carnival, implementing the Zimbabwe Tourism Development Strategy, establishing the “Visit Zimbabwe” campaign, and significantly increasing tourist arrivals through strategic infrastructure and facility investments.

KK’s unwavering loyalty to country’s ZANU PF epitomized his commitment to his country and its people. His life’s work, characterized by forthrightness, bravery, and generosity, leaves a legacy that will inspire future generations.

As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate a life well-lived, dedicated to the betterment of Zimbabwe and its people. Dr. Kaseke’s contributions to national development, community service, and political loyalty will forever be cherished and remembered.

Mourners are gathered at 38 Boscobel Drive in Highlands. Details of the burial arrangements will be communicated in due course.

MCAZ-ZRP collabo raids Caledonia

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ), in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Drugs and Narcotics Division, on Wednesday raided unlicensed shops dealing in medicines and other pharmaceutical products in Caledonia, Harare.

During the raid at Gazebo area close to Old Tafara, six unlicensed shops were inspected, leading to the discovery of unregistered medicines, expired drugs, and registered medicines being sold unlawfully.

In a statement, Richard Rukwata, MCAZ Director – General, said all the shops were manned by unlicenced individuals and a result, six suspects were apprehended, including one supplier of the pharmaceutical products.

“Some of the medicines recovered include anti-biotics, anti-seizure drugs (anti-epileptic drugs), anti-hypertensive drugs, anti-diabetes drugs, antidepressants, cough syrups, analgesics, for example paracetamol and aspirin.

**MCAZ inspector in one of the raided shops**

“Resultantly, all the discovered medicines were confiscated by the police and the suspects are now in the hands of the police and assisting with investigations,” he said.

Rukwata further revealed that along with the ZRP, they remain committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of pharmaceutical products available to the public.

“Such collaborative actions underscore our dedication to upholding regulatory standards and safeguarding public health.

“We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious pharmaceutical activities to the authorities. Together, we can combat the distribution of unregistered and expired medicines, promoting a safer environment for all Zimbabweans,” he added.

MCAZ is responsible for protecting public and animal health by ensuring that accessible medicines and allied substances and medical devices are safe, effective and of good quality through enforcement of adherence to standards by manufacturers and distributors.

It is further added that the mandate of MCAZ is to protect public health ensuring that medicines and medical devices on the market are safe, effective, and of good quality.

To protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights

BY JANE KALWEO

This Friday 1 March, is Zero Discrimination Day, established 10 years ago by UNAIDS to protect the rights of everyone and build healthier societies. The evidence is clear: only by protecting everyone’s rights, can we protect everyone’s health.

There is much to celebrate.

Zimbabwe is one of the few countries in sub-Saharan Africa which has reached and surpassed the 95–95–95 targets. The country has reached 95 percent for the number of HIV-positive people knowing their status, 98 percent of HIV-positive people on ART and has reached the target of 95 percent of people taking ARV’s virally suppressed. The number of new HIV infections has also decreased by 78 percent from 78 000 in 2010 to 17 000 in 2022. These results have been achieved through the Government’s commitment to follow the evidence in the implementation of a combination of behavioral, biomedical, and structural prevention interventions targeted at diverse groups based on their needs, as prioritized in national strategic plans.

Although there has been remarkable progress in Zimbabwe towards reaching the global targets, inequalities continue to pose barriers to accessing lifesaving services for marginalized groups such as Key Populations, Adolescent Girls, and Young Women (AGYW) and People Living with HIV (PLHIV). The 2022 People Living with HIV Stigma Index 2.0 for Zimbabwe indicated an increase in stigma and discrimination against PLHIV from 65% in 2014 to 69.7% in 2022. The country, through its Zimbabwe National HIV AIDS Strategic Plan 2021 -2025 (ZNASP 2021- 2025) has identified addressing stigma and discrimination by strengthening community-led reporting mechanisms and developing comprehensive programmes to reduce stigma and discrimination, as a critical enablers towards attaining the goal of eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

When marginalized communities are criminalized or stigmatized, their vulnerability to HIV infection increases, and their access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services is obstructed. Laws which criminalize HIV transmission have proven to be ineffective, discriminatory and undermine efforts to reduce new HIV infections UNAIDS is advocating for legal reform aimed at decriminalization in areas such as: HIV exposure, non-disclosure, and transmission; key populations’ sexual relations; and drug possession and use. This ensures access to services and is a crucial step in ending AIDS as a global public health threat.

Every week in 2022, 4000 adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 became infected with HIV globally, in large part because their rights are not respected. When girls’ rights to education and empowerment are realized, then their vulnerability to HIV is greatly reduced. In Zimbabwe HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women is more than three times higher than among their male counterparts. The HIV incidence among young women who are 15 -24 years was 0.25 which is 3.6 times higher than their male counterparts 0.07, in Zimbabwe deeply entrenched gender inequalities and discrimination, often combined with significant levels of poverty, increase their risk of HIV infection, among Adolescent Girls and Young Women. It is vital to advance safe societies so that young women can protect their health and wellbeing.

Countries that are beating the AIDS epidemic are doing so by repealing laws and policies that discriminate, by expanding human rights for all and by allowing marginalized communities to lead the response. Progress towards eliminating AIDS as a public health threat has been strengthened by ensuring that legal and policy frameworks do not undermine human rights, but instead enable and protect them. It is commendable that in 2022, Parliament of Zimbabwe repealed section 79 of the Criminal Law Code, which criminalized HIV transmission. The rights path strengthens entire societies, making them better equipped to deal with the challenges we face today and those that are emerging.

Public health is undermined when laws, policies, practices, or norms enshrine punishment, discrimination, or stigma for people because they are women, migrants, key populations, (includes sex workers, and people who use drugs). Discrimination obstructs HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care, and holds back progress towards the end of AIDS.

We have hope, however, from communities on the frontlines. As Dr. Martin Luther King noted, “Social progress never rolls in on wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of people.” It is the communities most affected by discrimination that are leading the pushback against the erosion of their right to health, against the right to life. They are uniting their efforts to protect and advance human rights. They need, and deserve, all our support.

Protecting everyone’s rights is not a favor to any group but is the way that we can protect everyone’s health, end AIDS and create happier societies for all.

Contact

By Jane KALWEO – UNAIDS Country Director, Zimbabwe| tel. +2634338836-41

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

To protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights

BY JANE KALWEO

There is much to celebrate.

Protecting everyone’s rights is not a favor to any group but is the way that we can protect everyone’s health, end AIDS and create happier societies for all.

Contact

By Jane KALWEO – UNAIDS Country Director, Zimbabwe| tel. +2634338836-41

UNAIDS

SADC Helpline Project; a ray of hope for adolescents and young people

**Tatenda Songore, Youth Advocates Executive Director**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

A SADC helpline project which is being implemented in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malawi has reached over 22 000 adolescents and young people to access integrated HIV services.

The projected which was piloted in three districts in the three countries, Zvishavane (Zimbabwe), Francistown (Botswana) and Zomba (Malawi) has been famed for improving the wellbeing of youths.

Tatenda Songore, Executive Director of Youth Advocates who are spearheading the project also revealed that they have gone beyond issues to do with HIV prevention or treatment, to include other social support services.

“All of the 22 000 youths have been actually tested for HIV and we have managed to get at least 4 percent of them who were diagnosed HIV positive and they were put on treatment.

“We are very excited also on the fact that 94 percent of young people who were diagnosed HIV positive are on treatment, actually the figure is 96 percent, which means we have surpassed the 95 percent target for the UNAIDS.

“So these are the key achievements and we are looking at scaling up this project.

“The impact of this project has been seen beyond HIV prevention, to address issues of drug and substance, gender based violence to also helping young people to return back to school after they were out of school because of different problems.

“We know that when young people are out of school, they are more vulnerable to risky behaviour and HIV so we have been able to return young people using 393 helpline within the three countries,” said Songore.

Both Malawi and Zimbabwe use 393 toll free helplines while for Botswana it’s 16658, which youths can access and get help on various issues affecting them.

When the youths call the toll free lines, they are helped through ongoing counselling services, information dissemination and referral to services and follow-up on the uptake of such services.

Songore further revealed that those youths who were having challenges with drug and substance abuse, were given mental health support.

“Some of the most interesting achievements of this project also look at how we were also able to look beyond the fact that when young people are on drug and substance abuse, they are more vulnerable to GBV.

“They are more vulnerable to risky behaviour and we have been able to support about 7 000 young people who were showing symptoms of drug and substance use and we have also been able to put them on mental health support beyond the project,” he revealed.

He also revealed that since drug and substance abuse is now a pandemic in the region, they had been able to leverage on the HIV fund from SADC which has seen them addressing several issues that put young people at risk.

Further commenting on the 393 toll free youth helpline, Songore said when any young person in the country uses it, they can make a call or whatsapp or use chat box where they can be educated using written formats, video and audio formats.

He also revealed that the platform has registered tremendous success because over 90 percent of users complete their courses unlike the traditional way of communicating with young people.

“They (youths) are more concentrated, they are more focused, they do it at their own pace and we are able to address multiple issues from HIV.

“We are also able to address mental health, we are also able to address emerging issues like cholera and we also able to respond and educate young people on measles as well,” added Songore.

He also revealed that in Zimbabwe they had piloted the SADC Youth Help Line in Zvishavane “because of high activity of artisanal miners, issues of drug and substance abuse, issues of young people who were dropping out of school and going to do artisanal mining.

“Child marriages are also very rampant, so we explored Zvishavane to try and explore those issues using mobile technology and we have been very effective because in Zvishavane alone, we reached 8 600 young people in a period of two years and in a rural community, this is very much a significant figure.”

Speaking at the same function, Jeremia Manyika, UNAIDS Zimbabwe: Adviser: Equality and Rights for all; said it was commendable to see young people showing leadership, adding that it was resonating well with the last year’s International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) theme, “let communities lead”.

“We are really emphasizing the theme of let communities lead, we are very delighted that we see the communities actually leading and when we say communities we are actually talking about the actual people that are affected and infected by HIV.

“And in this case we talking about young people and they are there in their numbers leading the project and we are very elated and happy about that development,” he said.

He added that it was good that partners had collaborated to make this a success for the benefit of young people.

“Again to reiterate our theme let communities lead, the UNAIDS Global AIDS strategy provides guidance to countries towards ending AIDS by 2030 and we are talking about what we call the 30-60-80 and these are targets that are really important if we are to meet them we will be able to end AIDS by 2030.

“We are saying 30 percent of HIV treatment services should be led by communities and when we say communities of young people it is young people who should be leading the services.

“Then 60 percent of programmes to address barriers to HIV care and support should also be led by communities and when we talk of communities, communities of young people should be leading the programmes to end stigma, to end discrimination to address barriers to HIV care and support and 80 percentage of programmes for women, young people and key populations must be led and coordinated by women, young people and the key populations themselves for us to be able to end AIDS within those communities let communities lead.

“So the 30-60-80 targets are a reality when we witness communities taking leadership and ownership of programmes as we see in this intervention, the call line 393.

“Am happy to note that the intervention has contributed significantly to achieving the 95-95-95 targets by increasing uptake of…HIV testing services by young people.

“As we move towards sustainability approaches to the HIV epidemic, we are excited to see communities lead and we are excited to see communities lead initiatives that demonstrate effective engagement of young people in their diversity to ensure that no-one and no place is left behind.

“It is noteworthy that the youth helpline goes beyond HIV prevention and treatment to address broader issues of social protection, mental health, gender based violence substance abuse among other challenges being faced by young people,” added Manyika.

Freeman Dube, Research and Documentation Coordinator at National Aids Council (NAC) said they had endorsed the project which had not only improved the lives of young people but also adults.

“We should celebrate those achievements and we as NAC have even said what is good as the way forward, is we integrate the work of the call centre within existing programmes.

“And by the way the capacity of the line is not only for Zvishavane District although it was the focus of the SADC project, the capacity is national, so our districts as NAC is to integrate promotional activities for the call centre to be utilized across the country,” said Dube.

Thando Madondo, who is one of the beneficiaries of the Youth Advocates project said he was supported in his passion for music, recording three songs.

He also revealed that the empowerment by Youth Advocates had been a good escape for him as some of his peers in his community have fallen to drugs.

“On the issue of drug and substance abuse, I know for a fact that they will ruin one’s life, you won’t make any progress.

“If I look at the community where I live, many youths have fallen to drugs, you will see young people smoking weed, but because of the guidance I get here at Youth Advocates, I just made a I vow that I won’t partake in drug and substance abuse, it destroys my life, so I rather just empower my life.

“I recorded three songs under Youth Advocates, namely, Youth Advocate, which showcases the brand of the organisation as a whole, then there is another one called Zvinodhaka, I sang it after some youths died during the Covid-19 pandemic. Those who died were under the wrong influence, like I remember some would say if they take whiskey, they would not contract covid, but this was wrong. Then I also did a song called Child marriage which really touched on this growing scourge in the country,” added Madondo whose stage name is Firemaster.

Guests from Malawi, Botswana, government ministries, students among others, attended the event which was held at Youth Advocates head office in Chitungwiza.

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Remove import duty and VAT on condoms-PSH

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Population Solutions for Health (PSH) has called on the government to remove import duty and value added tax (VAT) on condoms so as to ensure they are affordable.

The call by PSH which is the distributor of Protector Plus condoms, was made as the organisation joined the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the global community in commemorating International Condom Day which was held on Tuesday, February 13.

In a press release, PSH revealed that the day serves as a reminder of the critical role condoms play in preventing HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies.

“As we observe this day, we want to emphasize the shortage of domestic funding for condom procurement and call for the removal of import duty and VAT for condoms.

“This will make condoms more affordable in the market and secure the future availability of condoms without donor funding,” read the press release.

It was further revealed that “while Zimbabwe has achieved considerable success in condom programming, more work needs to be done to address the challenges that threaten to reverse the gains.

“The condom program heavily relies on donor support which has reduced over the years, negatively impacting funding for public and social marketing sector condoms, which serve the marginalised communities and low-income earners.

“The shortage of domestic funding for condom procurement and related programming further worsens the situation.

“The commercial sector’s condom supply has been decreasing over the past two decades, partly due to higher taxes (VAT and Import Duty) on condoms, which make commercial condoms expensive and unviable.”

It was also reported that PSH is actively supporting Ministry of Health in developing a sustainable condom market that promotes long-term condom use with reduced reliance on donor funding.

The press release further read that as the International Condom Day is commemorated, PSH remains committed to advancing condom programming and expanding access to quality sexual and reproductive health services and products.

“By addressing challenges in the market, significant progress can be made in preventing HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancies,” added the press release.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says “external condoms are the most common and sheaths or coverings that fit over a man’s erect penis before penetration. Internal condoms are also available and sheaths or linings that fit loosely inside the vagina before penetration.”

And WHO further states that “condoms continue to be an essential and effective tool in the prevention packages for HIV, other STIs and unplanned pregnancy.

“Condom use has been a significant tool to decrease transmission of HIV globally.”

Safe school zones needed for children

**school children using a pedestrian crossing**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Most of the road infrastructure that is near schools do not support the safety of learners, posing high risks of accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities.

Even on some of the school zones where there are clearly marked signs for the protection of children, unruly motorists have total disregard of such, further compounding the risks.

The call was made by Mcleo Mapfumo, Safe School Zones Zimbabwe-Project Manager in an interview with this reporter as he revealed the successful project they had in Glen View where children had been injured, some killed due to accidents in school zones.

“The project is all about star rating schools and measure to see how safe it is for children to walk to school, for children to cycle to school or even for children who come to school using motor vehicles.

“So what basically we are supposed to do on such a project, is first we go and assess the security situation or the safety situation around the school,” said Mapfumo.

He revealed that they had initially gone to assess Glen View 8, after a backdrop of children who had lost their lives on the same spot for the last three years.

Mapfumo further added that what exactly was causing the accidents was that the infrastructure was not supporting the kids.

“And when we did the assessment around the whole area, especially where the school is located; we found that it star rated to zero which clearly shows that it’s a high risk location.

“So we then did an assessment to see what exactly would actually work at this place, so we saw a recommendation of dealing with the street, dealing with the roads.

“And we put rumble strips, we put some humps, we put a raised pedestrian crossing point, we also put bollards.

“All this was to make sure that we introducing speed calming measures,” said Mapfumo.

He further revealed that as a policy issue, they also advocated for 30kms per hour speed limit around all schools.

This was to say any motorist approaching an area where there is a school, where there are school children crossing, who are using the roads to school, it has to be a safe school zone and all cars should drive at least 30kms per hour and below.

“We can also push as a policy that around all schools, it should be a three star or better safety standard around all schools.

“If we push for this, especially for schools that are in high density suburbs, we can actually reduce the number of deaths or the number of injuries that school children face when they are going to school.

“So this project was carried out in Glen View, this was at Glen View 8 Primary School but because of the improved infrastructure along Glen View Way and Willowvale Way, it also benefitted other five neighbouring schools.

“There is also another high school, another private college that is also benefitting from the infrastructure that was put along Willowvale Way,” he said.

Mapfumo further revealed that, “on Glen View Way we managed to achieve the objective because Glen View Way was more of a city council road and City of Harare is one of the major partners on this project.

“We managed to at least push for the 30kms per hour along Glen View Way, but along Willowvale Way, it’s more of a national road.”

He also added that they are also now trying to push and include the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to guide them on how to push for that speed limit zone around the national roads, major roads like Willowvale Way.

“From this now, we feel that the safety situation has improved.

“We also want to introduce road safety marshals, like parents can actually volunteer to make sure that they assist in the morning, wearing reflective vests and the lollipop STOP and GO signs.

“They should be visible to make sure that they control all the traffic because of the vehicles, especially the unregistered private service vehicles or the mushikashikas which are not obeying the signs or paintings that are on the roads.

“Paintings are not enough so they have to be there to make sure that in the morning they assist the children and in the afternoon they also assist the children on a rotational basis,” said Mapfumo.

He also revealed that they had also painted a road safety mural outside Glen View 8 Primary School “to remind the community and commemorate the lives of children who have lost their lives on the roads.”

Going forward, Mapfumo revealed that they are now looking at expanding the assessment aspect of the project, aiming to assess almost all the schools in Harare.

After the assessment, they are also looking at creating locations, showing the high risk locations in Harare which must be urgently attended to.

“And we can now recommend this to relevant stakeholders, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Health and also Ministry of Education to say these are high risk locations.

“Children in these areas are at danger with road crashes and something has to be done urgently,” he added.

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Japan donates US$774 000 for cholera

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Manicaland Province has received a timely donation of US$774 000 from Japan for the emergency cholera response.

The donation which was made through UNICEF, will specifically target the most vulnerable communities in the province, which bears one of the highest burdens of the disease.

A statement by UNICEF revealed that the grant will provide a comprehensive range of life-saving support in areas such as access to safe water; provision of critical hygiene materials, healthcare, and nutrition; child protection; as well as other essential social services.

His Excellency Mr Shinichi Yamanaka, Japan’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe said, “I hope that our support will allow the most vulnerable people to recover quickly and rebuild their lives. I also hope it will help prevent the further spread of this disease and future outbreaks”.

Speaking on the same grant, Dr Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe said, “we are extremely grateful to the Government of Japan for this support.

“This support exemplifies the commitment of the Government of Japan to the people of Zimbabwe to address the urgent needs of the affected communities and build resilience in the face of public health emergencies.”

The statement further read that, “the newly allocated funding will help the Government of Zimbabwe, UNICEF, and their partners to scale-up the multi-sectoral cholera response in affected areas, prioritising improved support and treatment to people infected by cholera; securing access to safe water with a special emphasis on the rehabilitation of sustainable, climate-resilient boreholes to ensure a lasting supply of safe water; and disseminating messages on cholera prevention and treatment through mass media platforms and interpersonal communication channels.”

Zimbabwe has been grappling with the cholera outbreak since February last year, recording 20,000 cases and over 400 deaths. Manicaland and Harare are the hardest hit provinces, as both account for 64 percent of all cholera cases.

And since the start of the outbreak, UNICEF has been working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and partners to support affected communities, including by: “providing emergency health supplies and medical products to establish more than 50 cholera treatment centres and more than 90 community oral rehydration points in affected areas.

“Providing technical and operational support for the cholera vaccination campaign targeting 2.3 million people in the most affected districts.

“Training more than 2,200 health workers on case management, surveillance, and infection control in treatment facilities.

“Reaching more than 260,000 people with critical water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies.

“And reaching 5 million people with messages on health-and-hygiene measures to prevent cholera and the importance of seeking medical treatment early, particularly for children,” added the statement.

Organisation uses soccer to engage adolescents on critical health issues

**Happy Ncube (second from left) with her colleagues**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Grassroot Soccer, an organisation which was established over 20 years ago and has reached more than 18 million young people in over 60 countries, using soccer to address several health challenges.

The organisation which works through partnerships says it uses soccer as the hook because it’s the most popular and accessible sport in the world.

Adolescents have been helped in areas which include HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, mental health and gender based violence.

Happy Ncube, Partnerships Program Manager at Grassroot Soccer, further added that Africa where they have several successful projects, has the most engaged fan base.

“Soccer is a powerful tool that can teach many important life skills: resiliency, hard work, courage, trust, and teamwork.

“We use soccer games, metaphors and frameworks to engage young people around the most critical health challenges in their lives and teach them life-saving health skills.

“The GRS approach fuses soccer, health, role models, fun, and inspiration to drive meaningful and positive behaviour change,” she said.

She added that the power of soccer is used to equip young people with the much needed life-saving information, services, and mentorship they need to live healthier lives.

Ncube also revealed that GRS was founded in 2002 by Dr Tommy Clark and teammates Kirk Friedrich, Ethan Zohn, and Methembe Ndlovu.

It is said Tommy and his teammates had witnessed the devastating effects of HIV while playing professional soccer together in Zimbabwe.

“After watching friends die of AIDS, Tommy and his teammates recognized that soccer; a positive force in the community; could be used to engage adolescents to stop the spread of HIV,” added Ncube.

She added that over the past 20 plus years, the organisation has evolved to take an integrated approach to adolescent health, recognizing the interconnectedness of young people’s most pressing health challenges such sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, and mental health.

“GRS looks at adolescent health issues in an integrated way; the relationship between HIV treatment and depression.

“Since 2002, we have grown from an initial cohort of 14 trained GRS Coaches to a global network of more than 13,000.

“We’ve reached more than 18 million young people in over 60 countries. GRS reached over 4 million youth in 2022 with health and life skills programs and services through our unique in-person SKILLZ interventions, digital platforms, and SKILLZ Magazines,” she revealed.

She added that locally “we are working through partners covering the whole of Zimbabwe.”

It was also revealed that through community-based organisations, international none governmental organisations, national and local governments, they have managed to reach more adolescents.

Ncube also revealed that through their interventions, GRS participants are three times more likely to test for HIV and get on treatment, resulting in 20 times fewer new HIV infections.

“GRS female participants are two times more likely to use modern contraception, resulting in 2/3 times fewer unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths.

“GRS male participants are 10 times more likely to undergo voluntary male medical circumcision (which reduces HIV transmission), resulting in 11 times fewer new HIV infections.

“GRS achieved a 96 percent reduction in clinically significant depression symptoms amongst youth living with HIV who completed GRS’s Coach-led group therapy in Zambia.

“After completing GRS’s new mental health-enhanced sexual and reproductive health program in South Africa, female program participants were 24 percent more likely to identify local sources of support for challenges with mental health and alcohol.

“MindSKILLZ participants in Kenya demonstrated a 48 percent reduction in stigmatizing beliefs about mental health,” she added.