Mashonaland West workshop tackles child marriages and substance abuse to boost socio-economic growth

Walter Nyamukondiwa

Mashonaland West in CHEGUTU

Stakeholders in the social and support clusters in Mashonaland West have gathered here to review and map pathways to reduce socio-economic and cultural factors that are fueling child marriages and abuse, drug and substance abuse.

The two-day Provincial Social Development Forum workshop seeks to help the province consolidate and ring-fence economic gains through addressing social ills that may hamper productivity.

Mashonaland West Provincial Medical Director Dr Celestino Dhege said health was a key indicator of Vision 2030, which called for collaboration by all sectors.

Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo bemoaned the high rate of drug and substance abuse, child marriages and teenage pregnancies.

The meeting has brought together seven District Development Coordinators (DDC), health workers, representatives from the National Aids Council, Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) among others.

Kariba DDC Mr Desmond Gumbochuma called for the Judicial Services Commission to conduct circuit court sessions in Siakobvu to help expedite management of child sexual abuse, marriages and teen pregnancies.