UNFPA Representative, Ms Miranda Tabifor and Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director,GivemoreMakoni
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will collaborate with the Zimbabwe Cricket to raise awareness on Gender Based Violence and all other forms of violence women and girls.
This partnership will bank on the huge following for cricket as well as having players serve as role models on and off the field of play.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Friday in Harare; UNFPA Representative Miranda Tabifor described the partnership as a landmark event.
“We know how the nation loves cricket and the cricket players serve as models within the society and we believe that through this partnership and the influence and the power that they have in the community; we are going to advance the good cause of reducing Gender Based Violence in Zimbabwe,” said Tabifor.
Added Tabifor: “indeed today is a historic day, for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), it is historic for us because it is a great pleasure for us to proceed in this landmark signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding with Zimbabwe Cricket Association.
“It is a framework and collaboration to strengthen awareness raising on issues of Gender Based Violence and all other forms of violence against women, including to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights of the women and young people in Zimbabwe.
“The partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket Association is pivotal to UNFPA’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which notes that; I quote: UNFPA will expand its multi-stakeholder partnerships and innovative collaborations for impact.
“It also notes that organisations, associations and initiatives are essential to the achievement of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The partnership is an accelerator in achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reducing maternal mortality including within the framework of UNFPA support to the Government of Zimbabwe under the 8th Country Programme of Cooperation.”
Ms Miranda Tabifor and Givermore Makoni sign the MOU
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director, Givemore Makoni, said they were elated to be part of the MOU, as it was their first with any UN agency.
“It gives us an opportunity to play our role to not only promoting the girl child to play better cricket on the field, but also to support, raise awareness that will help to protect the girl child off the field of play.
“This cooperation marks the beginning of a great relationship that will see Zimbabwe Cricket contributing to raising awareness on the ills of Gender Based Violence.
“The partnership also demonstrates the Zimbabwe Cricket desire to become the number 1 sport in the country.
“For without the support, participation and inclusion of women and girls, this strategic objective will not be realised.
“We also appreciate that this partnership, though primarily aimed at supporting the female and girl child, will also require engaging men and boys to raise awareness on positive masculinity and the positives it brings in ending violence against women and girls.
“With its huge following nationwide of cricket lovers especially men and boys, the potential for Zimbabwe Cricket Association is huge.
“This presence a chance for the cricket players who are role models in society to use their fame and influence for a good cause,” said Makoni.
Gender Based Violence is a huge problem in Zimbabwe as it is reported that about 1 in 3 women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence.
And about 1 in 4 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15, hence efforts of such partnerships aimed at ending the vice are well appreciated.
While the discovery of lithium brought some excitement and enthusiasm in the Goromonzi and Acturus Mine community, the joy was short lived, as women and girls have been disproportionately affected owing to the operations.
The women and girls believe that while some developments are evident in their community, it has come with its own downturns and the burden rests on them.
Their concerns range from gender imbalance in employment opportunities at mining companies, failure by the companies to give back to the community they operate in, water challenges that have been exacerbated by the activities.
They also allege rampant cases of child marriages and the increase in several diseases.
The women voiced their concerns at a stakeholder engagement meeting organised by the Economic Justice for Women Project (EJWP), with support from the Southern Africa Trust, as they detailed several challenges being faced in their communities.
Mary Nyadome said they regret the discovery of this valuable and highly sought-after mineral and have called on the relevant authorities to step in.
“What we are facing in Goromonzi in terms of employment at Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe, is a problem of gender bias; they are mainly employing men.
“We had an engagement meeting with our councillors, pertaining to the issue of employment, because women make only less than 1 percent of those employed at PLZ, so as women we must also get equal opportunities to be employed there.
“And according to the demographic dividend in Goromonzi, women are at 52 percent, so it’s not fair, they must consider us as women so that we have a share in terms of the mineral that is extracted in Goromonzi.
“Basically I can say though lithium has brought positive change in Goromonzi, there are so many negative impacts and it is not pleasing.
“There are so many issues of child marriages and I can point also that in Goromonzi Ward 13, there is no Secondary School from 1980 up-to now, so it is not fair because it mainly affects the girl child.
“And also because they (girls) travel long distances from Ward 13 to Ward 16 and Ward 17 to attend school, they are being lured by some truck drivers.
“They are lured by free transport because they will not have any money so they end up dating these men but it affects their lives,” said Nyadome.
She further called on the authorities to ensure that mining companies play their corporate social responsibility role by building a secondary school, reiterating, “there is need for value for money.”
She also lamented that the road infrastructure in her community had been badly damaged; which also greatly affects women who seek medical attention more than their male counterparts.
“Mining companies are ferrying lithium every day to unknown destinations, we see trucks with foreign number plates so it is very difficult for us because we want our government to set up a value addition plant so that as women, PWDs (persons with disability) and youth, we can also benefit.
“There is also the problem of water scarcity, when they are producing one tonne of spodumene lithium, they use quite a lot of water. So you find that this is water intensive and we are now facing shortages in Goromonzi because the water table has been affected.
“It’s now affecting our boreholes because they are drawing water from existing reservoirs like dams which were built in the colonial era or just after independence; so we are saying these companies should rehabilitate more dams or they must also construct more dams so that they use water from the newly constructed structures instead of using our water sources.
“It affects us as women because we depend on these water sources for our livelihoods, for agriculture so it’s now a burden. We are not in a position to demand from these companies because of the political landscape,” she added.
Patience Chere, Acturus Mine resident
Similar sentiments were also shared by 19-year-old Patience Chere from Acturus Mine, who said there was rampant sexual exploitation as a result of lithium mining activities.
She revealed that sexual abuse of girls was rampant; as she called on authorities to step in and save the girl child.
“In my community, we now have many rape cases that are occurring and other abuse cases especially for those girls who are dropping out of school. There are a lot of artisanal miners who are dating young girls after luring them with money from the mining proceeds and most of them end up being impregnated and they drop out of school, so that is the challenge that girls are facing.
“Another challenge is that of water, such that people end up drinking from unsafe sources and there are also limited job securities for women save for the men, but also even the men are not benefitting that much.
“Many girls and young women are getting infected with HIV and or STIs because of the risky sexual activities in our communities,” said Chere.
She added that because of the various health issues in Acturus Mine and lack of health facilities, they end up going to Goromonzi; which has its own challenges.
“Another issue is air pollution being caused by the mining activities, leading to people getting sick on a regular basis,” added Chere.
A 16-year-old girl also from Acturus Mine said early marriages were rampant because many girls are dropping out of school.
She also revealed that even when they are married, these young girls find themselves enduring many forms of abuse but because they lack the knowledge; some of them don’t even want to seek help.
“Then we also have issues of diseases as has been mentioned by others and women and girls are the most affected
“And because of the harsh economic conditions and the temptations from some of the mine workers, most girls end up being engaged in sex work.
“Some of these girls end up with unplanned pregnancies and they end up going for unsafe abortion methods,” she added.
Emilia Damba, Goromonzi resident
Emilia Damba, a resident of Goromonzi said she was yet to see the real progress that has come to their community ever since lithium was discovered.
She said at most, lithium mining had brought undesirable outcomes, some which are irreparable.
She revealed that for those men who were employed at the lithium mining companies, most of them don’t have job security as they can be fired at any time.
“The roads are very bad because of the many trucks carrying lithium.
“We only have 1 clinic in Goromonzi in Ward 16, so in some cases people are referred to Marondera and because of the bad roads, you will end up getting worse.
“We need to have many sensitization workshops with young girls to tell them that marriage is not an achievement, because many are dropping out of school opting to be married to these mine workers and they end up regretting, but it will be a little too late.
“Early marriages are really a menace as they ruin the future of these young girls, so girls and women need to be advised on the importance of education.
“We also have issues of STIs, you will find that the Chinese are luring many young women and girls in these communities and even the truck drivers too, so we end up with many diseases,” added Damba.
A Member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development, MP Traswell Chikomo revealed that the Mines and Minerals Bill, which could address some of these issues, was still at the Attorney General’s Office, as he encouraged residents to attend public hearings when such issues are discussed.
“Once we start public hearings for this bill, please make sure that you attend them.
“We have challenges that when we have public hearings, many people don’t come, so we urge you to come, like the ladies from Goromonzi, we urge you to come so that when we debate in Parliament we will debate from an informed point of view.
“Also as the Mines Committee, we are going around the country looking at several issues which are affecting people in the mining communities.
“We go to such mining communities to look at several issues so we urge you to write to our Committee of Mines, so that we can come and see these issues so that we respond in time,” added MP Chikomo.
Contacted for comment with regards to issues raised by Goromonzi residents, PLZ said they employ “around 1000 people, with 80% of the workforce coming from the local communities surrounding the mine.
“The company is also an equal opportunity employer. We have a robust recruitment policy that we use as an organization to hire from the community, which is done through ward councillors.
“The community, which includes both men and women, registers with their individual councillors to ensure that all members have equal access to work opportunities. The councillors then bring the enrolled names to PLZ, implying that they have reviewed the lists and determined that everyone on the list is capable and interested in working.
“PLZ will then select persons from those lists who meet the nature of the position. These individuals will then go through the interview process and the final selection is done.”
On the allegations that their operations had disrupted water supplies and road network, PLZ said, “water in Zimbabwe is distributed fairly by the designated and competent government arm, and as an organization, we are dedicated to ensuring that there is enough water for our operations, agriculture, and households in the district.
“We are a responsible corporate citizen who understands our relationship with the community.
“Our Corporate Social Responsibility department has worked on infrastructure development in the Goromonzi district as one of its primary projects.
“When we began operations, we embarked on a significant rehabilitation effort, beginning with the road from the Goromonzi turnoff to the Majuru growth point, followed by the widening of the gravel road and the construction of two bridges.
“Plans are in place to tar the current gravel road, but we are still a young business, so we are working on it.
“As an organization, we conduct a community needs assessment to identify areas where we can act and empower the community.
“All of these CSR projects were initiated as a result of the assessment, and we will continue to do so in order to successfully serve the community. Over the last two years, PLZ has undertaken major CSR initiatives, some of which have been highlighted above. The corporation has made significant investments in education, including a scholarship program that serves 70 students from 13 wards throughout the district. “The business has also constructed classroom blocks and staff quarters at Vhuta School. As part of the project, Vhuta and other schools, including Ivordale, Musirikwi, Belmont, and Mwanza, received new furniture and textbooks. We are currently upgrading the water tanks at Kubatsirana Clinic, a project on which we are collaborating with ZINWA to guarantee that the clinic and community have a clean and efficient water supply.
“PLZ has also embarked on an on-going solar lighting project along the Goromonzi Road, which is intended to curb crime in the community. Since last year, PLZ has supported the first prize winner of the district agricultural show, all the way up to the national level competition.”
After noticing how menstrual health issues significantly affected girls and young women in farming communities, one man decided to become a champion of reason.
He decided to help ease the burden of those less privileged, so that they access one of the most important health needs of women and girls. Today he is a menstrual health champion, something he has dedicated his life to.
To know more about his cause, our reporter MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA (MBD) had a chat with TATENDA COLE CHIGWADA (TCC), National Projects Coordinator at Next Generation Capacity Building Space.
MBD: What made you decide to be a menstrual health champion, and why this cause in particular?
TCC: Growing up in a farming and rural area, I witnessed first hand how limited access to information around menstrual health affected many young girls and women. Poverty was a significant barrier, and the spiritual beliefs from apostolic sects often exacerbated the stigma and misinformation surrounding menstruation. I chose this cause because menstrual health is fundamental to the dignity, health, and empowerment of women and girls. Addressing this issue can lead to broader societal changes, including improved education and economic opportunities.
MBD: Being a man, some would also want to know why you embarked on this journey.
TCC: As a man, I recognize that menstrual health is not just a women’s issue but a societal one. I embarked on this journey because I believe men have a crucial role to play in breaking the taboos and supporting the women in our lives. My experiences growing up in a community where this topic was shrouded in silence, motivated me to become an advocate for change and ensure that no girl or woman has to suffer in silence or miss opportunities because of a natural biological process.
MBD: What do you hope to achieve and how many people do you aim to reach?
TCC: I hope to achieve a community where menstrual health is openly discussed and supported, and where girls and women have access to the products and information they need. My goal is to reach as many individuals as possible, starting with hundreds in Mashonaland Central and expanding to thousands across other rural areas. I aim to empower both men and women to be advocates for menstrual health in their communities.
MBD: Why did you choose Mash Central?
TCC: I chose Mash Central because it’s a community close to my heart, with many facing the same challenges I observed growing up. The lack of resources and information there, is particularly acute, and I believe that by starting in Mash Central, I can make a significant impact and create a model that can be replicated in other similar communities.
MBD: Is this a once-off thing or an ongoing project?
TCC: This initiative is an ongoing project. I plan to continuously engage with the community, provide education, distribute menstrual products, and advocate for systemic changes that support menstrual health. My long-term vision is to establish sustainable programs that empower local leaders and educators to continue this important work.
MBD: Anything else you may share?
TCC: I would like to emphasize the importance of community involvement and education in breaking down the myths and stigmas associated with menstruation. I am also working on partnering with local and international organizations to amplify our efforts and bring more resources to the communities in need. Menstrual health is just the beginning; I hope this initiative will pave the way for broader health and educational improvements in rural areas. At Next Generation Capacity Building Space we aim to create a world where every young person thrives mentally, socially, economically, empowered with the knowledge and resources to overcome challenges and build a sustainable future.
MBD: Thank you for time Tatenda.
TCC: You are welcome and I thank you for giving me space to share my vision on this worthy cause.
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.
NEWSSPACE 