Online Reporter
Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Sista2Sista Programme has helped adolescent girls and young women at Venice Mine in Battlefields, Kadoma, recover from past traumas, including rape, and reshape their lives.
In one incident, a woman who was allegedly raped by a Nyau dancer after being abducted from the crowd during a performance, has found closure after having sessions with her peers.
Narrating the incident, the woman said she was in the crowd when one of the dancers grabbed her from behind and pulled her to a secluded place nearby before raping her.
“I was enjoying myself along with others in the crowd when I just felt someone grab me from behind and pulled me to a secluded area before sexually abusing me,” she said.
“I noticed that the man was part of the Gule ensemble, but efforts to identify him were futile.
“I even approached the police and the leadership of the Nyau club, but they could not identify the person.”
She said she had since moved on from the incident, which occurred in 2022 due to the support and economic empowerment programmes initiated under Sista2Sista.
Another young woman Ms Angela Tapera said the programme reformed her.
She said she learnt to work for herself and had been assisted to stop drinking and reckless behavior.
“The thing I have benefitted a lot from the Sista2Sista Programme has been the knowledge about looking after myself, being able to live amicably with my husband thereby reducing incidents of gender-based violence,” said Ms Tapera.
“I have also learnt to engage in income generating projects where I also contribute to the family income. Most of the time I am busy. I have also learnt about sexual health and the things that put people at risk of diseases.”
Several adolescent girls and young women say they have benefitted immensely from the sessions through getting life skills.
National Aids Council (NAC) Sista2Sista coordinator for Venice Mine Ms Henriata Gurajena said the programme had led to a reduction in violence in the community and young women were more informed about general health, hygiene and having life skills.
“We are working with 50 adolescent girls and young women through giving them life skills. They now spend time working on their projects as we need at least US$2 every month for our savings club,” she said.
The programme has also forced adherence to child vaccination schedules as young women and adolescent girls were monitored to ensure compliance.
