Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Zimpapers Writer
ANNA Sithole’s life took a dramatic turn when she was forced into marriage at just 16 years of age following the loss of her mother.
The marriage seemed like a means of survival, but it ultimately led to devastating consequences.
“I was born and bred in Gweru and attended Takunda Primary School up to Grade 7. At the time, we stayed in Mkoba 13 suburb where my mother who worked in South Africa rented a two-roomed house,” said Anna (17) from Dimbamhiwa Village in Lower Gweru.
Anna said in 2022 when she was 14 years old, her mother passed on after a long illness and life became unbearable for her.
“I only had my mother and my grandmother who stayed in Lower Gweru. I didn’t know my father and my mother never wanted us to ask or talk about him,” she said.
When Anna’s mother died, there was no one to pay rentals at their lodgings in Mkoba 13 or pay her school fees.
“I was forced to join my grandmother in Lower Gweru. But because we had no income, in 2023 I found myself in a relationship with a 48-year-old truck driver,” said Anna.
It was not long before she fell pregnant. When she sought antenatal care, she received a life-altering diagnosis: she was HIV-positive.
“I was initiated on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and after giving birth, my baby also started treatment. I will go with her for further testing in about six months but so far I thank God we started ART early and she tested HIV-negative,” she said.
Anna’s story is not an isolated one.
Many young girls across the country are forced into early marriages due to poverty, exposing them to increased health risks.
Lower Gweru faces a concerning surge in alcohol and substance abuse, as well as early marriages, which are closely linked to the spread of HIV and Aids.
To address this scourge, Chief Chisadza Bunina from Lower Gweru has taken the “Not in My Village” campaign to his area in an effort to educate youths about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse as well as early sexual debuts.
The “Not in My Village” campaign is an initiative aimed at enhancing the involvement of traditional leaders in the fight against HIV and Aids and child marriages.
Organised by the National Aids Council (NAC), the campaign provides a platform for chiefs and stakeholders to discuss strategies for combating HIV and Aids as well as addressing social challenges contributing to the spread of the disease in their communities.
Launched last year as a pilot programme in Mashonaland Central Province, “Not in My Village” was rolled out in the Midlands Province in an effort to promote inclusivity and community-driven solutions in the fight against HIV and Aids while addressing issues such as teenage pregnancies and child marriages, which deprive children of their childhood, education, health and future opportunities.
Child marriages have been driven by interrelated factors such as poverty, gender norms, cultural and religious beliefs and lack of access to services and information.
Chief Bunina recently organised a sports gala to engage youths and raise awareness on the risks associated with early marriages, teenage pregnancy and alcohol as well as substance abuse.
Addressing villagers, pupils and community leaders gathered for the sports gala, Chief Bunina said as traditional leaders, it is imperative that they acknowledge that early child marriages and teenage pregnancies constitute a breach of human rights.
“These compromise the health and well-being of young individuals and diminish both the educational attainment and economic prospects of our society’s youth. We must collaborate with the judiciary and all Government departments to eradicate these practices within our communities,” he said.
Vungu Constituency legislator Cde Brown Ndlovu said focus should be on reducing interest and demand for drugs and substances, particularly among the youths.
“It is known that alcohol and other drugs decrease inhibitions and safe sex negotiation skills, which makes young people even more vulnerable to unprotected sex leading to unplanned pregnancies and the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by Cde Constain Mukanganikwi.
Cde Ndlovu commended NAC for spearheading the anti-drugs and substance abuse campaign.
“We are concerned about the negative impact of drugs and substance abuse on individuals, families and communities,” he said.
NAC Midlands province manager Mr Mambewu Shumba said there is a symbiotic relationship between drug and substance abuse and HIV, therefore the need to conscientise the youths on the dangers of engaging in drugs.
“Drug and substance abuse can increase the risk of HIV transmission through sharing needles or equipment, impaired judgment leading to risky behaviours like unprotected sex and increased vulnerability to exploitation and violence,” he said.
Conversely, Mr Shumba said, individuals living with HIV may be more susceptible to substance abuse as a coping mechanism.
He noted that other factors like early child marriages and sex work also play a significant role in the spread of HIV.
“Early child marriages often lead to early sexual debut, increasing the risk of HIV transmission, while sex work increases vulnerability to HIV due to power imbalances and risky behaviours. Addressing these interconnected issues is crucial in HIV prevention and treatment efforts, as it can help mitigate these risks and improve overall health outcomes,” he said.
