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Fadzayi Maposah, Correspondent
I have three sisters, Nyaradzai, Tendai and Gamuchirai.
In between are our three brothers. Growing up, our parents gave us all equal opportunities so that we could be the best in the career paths that we chose.
Nyari is the one who took a very different career path as compared to the other three of us. She was always different. She was athletic and was involved in races, running while we cheered her from the terraces.
Since we were in the same sport house, the Maposah name was well represented on the field.
I remember always being amazed how she was able to run so fast while others, me included, would be panting running out of breath and wondering what the teachers who were pushing us to be sporty wanted to achieve.
With her head tilted on her side, she would navigate the curves of the sports field on the road to wins.
When she was not participating in a race, she would join the cheerleaders encouraging others to reach their full potential.
As an athlete, she was comfortable wearing her sports shorts around the house as she went about her day to day work. From a very young age, I learnt that body shapes are different and even if we were siblings, we could be different.
From an early age, in a home where I was appreciated and valued the way I was, I did not have low self-esteem issues.
I did not know the term self-esteem then but I had a healthy one.
When people called me big, I could relate to what my parents had said that in my family were people of different body shapes and that we all could not be the same.
From a young age, I learnt that everyone needs someone who believes in them and helps them to achieve their dreams.
I remember when I chose to be a journalist, there were some people who were not comfortable with that career choice, but my parents were my greatest cheerleaders.
When they did not understand career paths, they humbled themselves to find out.
In my case, my father approached one journalist to find out what the career entailed, and how as a woman I would find my feet.
Each time I meet that journalist he always reminds me of how my father consulted him!
Back to Nyari. Right up to Advanced Level, she remained a sportswoman who played for the hockey school team.
She even tried basketball. Nyari was happy being in her sports attire and was almost a tomboy.
After A-Levels, she became an apprentice with the Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED).
It was so motivational seeing her sign up for the programme that would see her being at home at CMED Chinhoyi as part of the minority as the majority were males.
What was also amazing was that her supervisor and mentor was also a female.
I remember that like the boys from the automotive department at the Harare Polytechnic she enjoyed having splashes of grease on her pair of overalls.
The sports woman walk and confidence showed as she moved around the station interacting with the male counterparts.
Once my father’s car had a puncture and he was grappling with how he would get it fixed since he noticed it when he was dressed ready to leave home for where he had to go.
As he went into the house to figure out how he would attend to the puncture, Nyari followed him into the house. When she came out, she was dressed in her overalls and safety shoes, and confidently getting ready to attend to the puncture.
As an apprentice, she saved for her toolbox while some of us amassed kitchen appliances!
Nyari was fortunate to be part of the empowered girls of past generations.
I am sure there are other girls who have been fortunate to have society support them as they grow.
We need to salute the society members who have always been the light for girls who at times have been disadvantaged.
It is time for Nyari and others to be torch bearers and mentors for other girls who vision themselves breaking into male dominated terrain.
It is Nyari and those who have gone through feminine reproductive issues in situations that were not friendly that can ensure that girls’ dreams are not dampened because of barriers that have nothing to do with their capability. Hormones have no manners.
In overalls, in a work suit the menstrual cycle comes full circle as it does for those in offices.
Malaria season, there are spraying teams with both males and females, how are reproductive health needs of women addressed.
Can the female team members when on their menses not dread a menstrual period?
What about those operating at roadblocks how do young girls look at them and consider the fact that they are also female and not see ablution facilities in sight?
Girls should not be afraid to dream and have their vision dim because of issues that should be considered priority. Investing in girls has many positive ripple effects for the girl and beyond up to society level.
Yesterday was the 2024 International Day of the Girl, and the theme of the day was “Girls vision for the future”.
The theme looks at the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls` voices and vision for the future.
The theme is against a background of what has been done to empower girls and women.
Back in 1995, the World Conference on Women in Beijing countries adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action that has been noted as the most progressive blue print ever for advancing the rights of not only women but also girls.
The declaration is the first to specifically spell out girls` rights. The girls` hope should not dim.
Online Reporter