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Melissa Chekwa
FOR years Apostolic sects have been drawing the ire of communities across Zimbabwe for their perceived stance of “denying the girl child access to education” but one sect leader has come out strongly condemning the practice while vowing to put an end to it.
It’s not uncommon in some Apostolic sects for girls to drop out of school at an early age and ultimately being married off, a practice that has been condemned by society as being a violation of the rights of the girl child.
Prophet Madzibaba Mutumwa of Johane Masowe eChishanu, while acknowledging that the practice is still prevalent within some apostolic sects, said the church has an important role to play in making sure that girls enjoy the same privileges as boys.
He said this after one of his congregants had given a testimony about two of her daughters being enrolled into universities, one abroad and the other at a local institution.
“Over the years Apostolic sects have been known to deny their children, especially girls, opportunities to go and get proper education and marrying them off at a young age but we are now saying that must stop forthwith.
“Every child has a right to education and I’m humbled when two young girls here in our church have been accepted into universities and as a church leader I say no girl must be stopped from pursuing a career of her choice and that starts with affording them equal opportunities such as education,” Mutumwa said.
“The church must be seen to embrace change and we are saying that in this day and age, every child must be treated the same, be it a boy or a girl, so as Johane Masowe eChishanu we encourage parents to make sure children attain the best level of education that they can. The world is tough out there and education is the key to unlocking a child’s potential,” he added.
A non-governmental organisation (NGO), World Vision, has over the years been working with faith leaders in a campaign to change society’s perception that boys are better suited to education than girls.
The NGO rolled out a programme called The Improving Girls’ Access through Transforming Education (IGATE) that aims to stop all forms of discrimination against the girl child, including abuse.
It was established that girls as young as 12 years old were subjected to early and forced marriage, a harmful social-cultural practice known to put them at risk of sexual, physical, and psychological violence throughout their lives.
The NGO concluded that early marriages often result in early pregnancy, endangering the lives of young mothers, who are often at the risk of domestic violence.
Online Reporter