Call to help girl child realise potential

Canditar Chapanduka, Chronicle Reporter

BULAWAYO yesterday joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl Child amid calls to support the elimination of gender-based violence and discrimination to help the girl child realise their potential.

According to a recent UN report, nearly one in four girls aged 15–19 globally is not in education, employment or training, compared to 1 in 10 boys.

The report also noted that empowering women and girls and promoting gender equality is crucial to accelerating sustainable development.

It said ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right but has a multiplier effect across all other development areas.

The commemorations, which were organised by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), took place at the Large City Hall, with various stakeholders comprising the junior council and officials from the Ministry and Primary and Secondary Education attending.

BCC education officer, Mr Thabani Sithole said exposing the girl children to the new digital era through the use of information communication technology (ICT), is critical in terms of empowering the girl child.

“As council, we held career guidance exhibitions to enhance knowledge on the digital world for girls at secondary schools to help them to pursue STEM subjects so that they also able to compete on an equal footing with their male counterparts,” he said.

Junior mayoress Onenhlanhla Nyathi said girl children have the ability to do what boys can do in terms of career path.

“When I was 17years old, I realised that I am capable of venturing into a male-dominated field because as girls we have the potential. I, therefore, encourage girls to be firm in whatever they do,” she said.

Speaking during the same event, Tel-One centre for learning general manager, Mrs Mimmie Moyo said it is important for the girl child to be exposed to the digital era to enable them to participate in the e-learning processes.

Deputy provincial education director for Bulawayo, Mrs Sibongile Khumalo said as a country, Zimbabwe has made great strides in terms of empowering the girl child.

“This day acknowledges the potential and the power of adolescent girls by encouraging them to explore opportunities presented to them.

“During the prolonged closure of schools due to the Covid-19 lockdown, as a ministry, we embraced the use of ICT and created a digital platform where learning materials were put together for learners to access,” she said.

Pauline Ndandatho Gumede, a civil engineer employed by BCC, urged the girl child to venture into fields perceived to be a male domain. — @NomqheleC.