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Natasha Kokai and Charmaine Brown
The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe and Oxfam Zimbabwe have urged the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank to assist young women with loans to pay their fees and to start projects to sustain themselves while at school.
Speaking at the Young Women’s Learning Event held in Harare yesterday which brought together female university and college students from across the country, Oxfam Zimbabwe representative Ms Netsai Shambira said the prevailing economic conditions were forcing some students to engage in risky behaviour such as prostitution.
“Economic hardships have forced young women and girls to engage in risky sexual relationships for the sake of money,” she said. “This puts them at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and Aids.
“In some cases, some of the relationships result in unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions.”
The students indicated that some of them were engaging in sexual relationships with sugar daddies commonly referred to as “blessers” and settling for ‘semester marriages’ out of desperation.
“Our colleges and universities do not have enough accommodation facilities and most have to look for alternative accommodation which is expensive,” said Ms Shambira. “In addition, students have to buy food and other necessities and because of the environment some end up resorting to blessers who cater for their needs or co-habit up with male students to share expenses.
“We are appealing to Government to expedite the construction of on campus accommodation, which is affordable to students.”
The students called on Government to put in place policies that protect them from abuse from their male counterparts and partners.
They cited the use of revenge porn, leaking of nudes and sexual stalking on social media as cases in points of the harassment that they have been subjected to by men and fellow male students.
The students suggested the need for more sex education in colleges and universities, especially on the use of contraceptive to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
The workshop was aimed at sharing knowledge to strengthen young women’s groups and to come up with suggestions and solutions faced by female students.
Online Reporter