Source: Fight against teen pregnancies heats up in Mbire District – herald
Fungai Lupande-Mashonaland Central Bureau
BETWEEN 700 and 800 girls aged 16 to 19 have been registering for antenatal care at health centres across Mbire District each year over the past five years, indicating persistently high teenage pregnancy rates in the area.
Worryingly, about 15 girls aged just 10 to 14 also fall pregnant annually, revealing a deep-rooted social and cultural challenge in the district.
According to National Aids Council (NAC) district Aids coordinator, Mr Cloudius Musandaira, these statistics are likely an understatement of the actual crisis.
To tackle the crisis, NAC has partnered with Katswe Sistahood, a women’s rights organisation, to roll out the “Not in My Village” campaign in Chitsungo, Ward 16, a known hotspot for child marriages and school dropouts.
“We have four chiefs in Mbire, and we began the campaign in Chitsungo where teenage pregnancies are alarmingly high,” said Mr Musandaira.
“We are also implementing the SASA (Start Awareness Support Action) programme, which targets the root causes of harmful cultural practices.”
Traditional leaders have become key allies in the fight, with Chief Chitsungo leading sensitisation efforts alongside village heads and child protection workers.
“Girls as young as 13 are getting married in my area,” said Chief Chitsungo.
“This is a serious concern.
“Child marriages and gender-based violence are a headache. No community can develop where such practices persist.”
He said marrying off young girls is illegal.
Local village head Sabhuku Alfred Mutoro welcomed the campaign’s legal guidance, which empowers traditional leaders to take action against child marriage and abuse.
“Previously, many people were ignorant of the law,” he said.
“The Chief has now empowered us to investigate and manage these cases in our villages.
“We’ve outlawed practices like night dances (Jiti), virginity testing, nyau dances, chinamwari sessions, and appeasement of spirits through forced marriages.”
Similarly, Mrs Rudo Chidembo, village head of Chapita, committed to spreading awareness in her community.
“Virginity testing was common in white garment churches, and it exposed girls to abuse,” she said.
“We are burdened with child marriages here, but programmes like SASA are helping us challenge harmful practices.”
Miss Chengetayi Chininga, head of operations at Katswe Sistahood, said the SASA programme’s success lies in its community-driven approach.
“This is not a top-down model. Communities themselves identified the harmful practices and how to address them,” she said.
“Through SASA, we gradually tackle issues like gender-based violence, power imbalances and HIV through a phased and layered approach.”
She added that the Not in My Village campaign supports these efforts by mobilising communities and cementing progress through awareness and collaboration with local stakeholders.
“We envision a transformed community where women and girls are safe, healthy and empowered,” she said.
COMMENTS