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Mash Central Bureau
The Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) brought cheers to Chindunduma High 1 pupils who were recently affected by a fire outbreak which razed their kitchen by launching the girl’s road safety outreach programme at the school.
About 200 girls and women from the surrounding community were trained and assisted to obtain their provisional driving licences. The launch coincided with the International Day of the Girl Child commemorations under the theme: “Our Time is Now: Our Rights, Our Future.”
TSCZ managing director Mr Munesushe Munodawafa said the programme was being taken to under-served areas in the country with hope of changing lives. Girls around the country experience enormous problems including lack of education, poor access to health facilities and lack of empowerment.
“These circumstances call for action. This is why at the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe we declared this week to be the girl child outreach week,” he said.
“The council aims at saving lives through education, training, publicity and research. This is in alignment with vision 2030 of reducing road traffic accidents by 50 percent in 2030.
“In accordance with the President’s policy of leaving no one and no place behind, we are also in Marikopo and Murape High Schools in Mashonaland East.” The council has gone to Magunge High School and Charles Clarke Secondary in Mashonaland West, Chipinge Primary School in Manicaland, Lupane in Matabeleland North and Gokwe in Midlands.
“This is the time to include girls in issues of road safety. It is time to acknowledge girls and women for their contribution to society,” he said.
“We need to have a road safety culture. These girls will grow into future leaders and it is of paramount importance to equip them with knowledge that will protect our children from road traffic accidents.
“It is our expectation that female beneficiaries will build careers and businesses on the foundation we are laying today.”
One of the beneficiaries, Ivainesu Hungwe, upper six sciences, said she started driving lessons when she was in lower six with the school’s driving school.
“I am capable of all manoeuvres required at the Vehicle Inspection Department for one to obtain a driver’s licence. Growing up I thought driving was for men and women only sitting at the mother’s seat,” she said.
“This programme is an added advantage to me because if I acquire a driver’s license now it gives me the opportunity to focus on other things. I urge other girls to go for it; this is not hard.”
Mr Philip Gwaze instructor at Chindunduma High 1 driving school said adolescent girls and boys are easy to train because they are enthusiastic and inquisitive about a vehicle.
“I urge parents to send their children for driving lessons so that they acquire all the necessary knowledge about road safety. We hear cases of children who steal their parents cars. If the child already has a license it reduces chances of road traffic accidents.”
Ms Rudo Chipuriro, a beneficiary from the community said although she has come of age it is important for her to be able to drive a vehicle in cases of emergencies.
“My wish is to be able to drive so that I don’t always rely on my husband to move from one point to the other,” she said.
Online Reporter