adminMaria Chiguvari
MINISTER of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni, is appalled by young girls dying while giving birth.
She called on responsible authorities to take action against the child abuse, which is happening in many communities.
She said the law must take its course to ensure that girls are protected from abuse.
The Minister said her Ministry was concerned about reports of young girls being robbed of their innocence.
This follows the recent death of 15-year-old Nokutenda Hwaramba while giving birth at a shrine in Bikita.
“The case of Nokutenda, who died at a shrine in Bikita while giving birth, is clearly another case of rape.
“Zimbabwe, we need to be alive to the fact that these are gross violations of girls’ rights.
“This is one of the many incidents of maternal deaths occurring among children,” Minister Nyoni said.
She also raised the death of Annah Machaya, who died at a shrine in Marange last year.
Commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child, Minister Nyoni urged the nation to make serious collective introspection of efforts in place to protect the girl child.
“As a nation, we also take stock of all the commitments we have made on most of the issues that affect the girl child.
“We want to be celebrating the girl child on this day, but we find ourselves faced with such saddening scenarios, which I implore all of us to reflect and introspect if this is the kind of life we want for our girl child.
“This introspection is not limited to any organisation or individual but calls for collective action,” she said.
She said families, communities, religious and traditional leaders need to spring into action against acts.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter