Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
JAPAN has contributed US$740 740 through United Nations Women to prevent Covid-19 infection among vulnerable women and girls in Guruve and Mbire districts.
The project will enhance access to Covid-19 testing and vaccination, and spread awareness of Covid-19 prevention and vaccination to over 103 000 people.
It will also result in the training of 500 women on the production of personal protective equipment (PPEs).
Mbire and Guruve in Mashonaland Central Province are two of the districts worst affected by drought.
In addition, the extent of reach and uptake of the national Covid-19 vaccination programme has been low in these districts, particularly in the marginalised and hard-to-reach communities.
It is believed the number of people vaccinated in the two districts is expected to increase and meet the Government’s targets.
In a statement, UN Women country representative Ms Delphine Serumaga said existing key drivers of vaccine hesitancy need to be challenged.
“These include myths related to risks of infertility in women, impotency in men or risk of death based on religious grounds, especially among the apostolic sects prevalent in the area.
“It also includes fear of side effects coupled with limited knowledge on what to expect if medical treatment is needed,” she said.
The project aligns with national, regional and international goals including Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality, Goal 3 on good health and wellbeing, as well as the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) focusing on gender equality.
Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Satoshi Tanaka said: ” … there is first a need to find a pathway out of Covid-19 and build a more resilient society.
“This project will enable communities in Mbire and Guruve to take a major step towards overcoming Covid-19 and becoming more resilient to future outbreaks.”
Online Reporter