Vulnerable adolescent rural girls find refuge in the Sista2Sista initiative

Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]

THE National Aids Council (NAC) led Sista2Sista program has been credited for bringing substantial positive change in the lives of numerous girls nationwide through its mentorship efforts.

Offering a secure environment for at-risk adolescent girls and young women to engage with mentors and peers, the programme has evolved into a cornerstone of support for individuals confronting diverse obstacles.

Launched in 2006, its primary objective is to diminish HIV prevalence within the vulnerable demographic aged 10 to 24 years.

The Sista2Sista programme offers participants essential lessons on sexual and reproductive health, financial literacy and strategies for dealing with challenging social situations.

This empowers girls by enhancing their confidence and self-esteem, allowing them to advocate for themselves effectively. 

In Mashonaland West Province, the programme has made significant contributions in equipping girls with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of adolescence and young adulthood. 

Through these initiatives, several beneficiaries testify that the Sista2Sista programme is playing a crucial role in empowering girls and preparing them for the challenges they may face in their lives.

Journalists from several media houses recently toured NAC Mashonaland West initiated programs to have an appreciation of HIV interventions implemented by NAC and its strategic partners.

The programme has been largely credited for reducing school dropout rates for girls, early teenage pregnancies and gender-based domestic violence.

In a society where obstacles often overshadow opportunities, individuals such as Cecelia Mhande shine as beacons of resilience and determination.

Hailing from Chikangwe suburb in Karoi, the 20-year-old academic achiever has defied the odds, excelling at her A-level studies with an impressive 11 points despite facing financial challenges that threatened to derail her educational journey.

From primary school to high school, Mhande’s journey was characterised by the difficulty of paying school fees — a challenge that would have been impossible to overcome without the help of kind benefactors and charitable organisations.

In an area where girls’ education is often obstructed by deep-seated gender prejudices and the appeal of other career paths such as household work and small-scale mining, Mhande’s unwavering dedication to her academic aspirations is praiseworthy.

She highlighted that while many of her peers choose immediate job opportunities in cities, she remains resolute in her determination to pursue further education and establish a career in social work — a field she feels deeply passionate about.

 “Right now, I’m waiting to go to university to study Social Work. I came out with 11 points at A-level,” she narrated.

“Both my parents are hearing impaired. It was difficult for them to pay for my school fees, but I managed to complete A-level last year with support from well-wishers.”

Mhande is a member of the Queens of the Universe Club and has been trained in several economic strengthening programmes.

These include detergent making and baking, among others. 

“If I stay at home and do nothing, I might get myself mixed up in some things, or get impregnated. This would disrupt my plans for the future. 

“Some of my age mates now have two kids from different fathers.

“I’m yet to find financial support to go to university where I want to study Social Work,” she said.

Her ambitions go beyond selfish interests, showing a sincere wish to create a beneficial influence in her society and tackle social problems with compassion and skill.

“I believe if I study Social Work, I will come back and help my communities, especially adolescent girls and young mothers,” she added.

Mhande says the biggest challenge they face as girls is teen pregnancy.

Journalists learned that during the current tobacco selling season, some Karoi farmers would have extra money to spend, specifically targeting young girls.

“I have learnt a lot of things, including that early marriages are wrong. They are wrong in the sense that they breed gender-based violence, something that I have seen happening to my peers, who were married under the age of 16.

“Apart from early marriages, we also do sessions on sexual and reproductive health as well as HIV and Aids.”

The club mentor, Ms Mavies Tagarira said girl clubs help reduce HIV prevalence rates.

She said girls undergo a meticulous vetting process before joining clubs.

“When we start these clubs, we do not just get into a community and pick randomly. We work mainly with out-of-school girls and young women, especially those whom we identify through our risk assessment tool that they could be at higher risk of contracting HIV and other vices.

“Our goal is to end Aids by the year 2030. We also test the girls for HIV and those who test positive are initiated on treatment,” said Ms Tagarira.

However, she said during tobacco selling sessions, a significant number of girls drop out of clubs and resort to selling various items at the auction floors.

“That is a challenging phase for us. Girls fall prey to farmers who would be splashing money at them. 

“You hear men saying ‘Let’s take a walk’ to girls and then they ask for sexual favours promising the girls sweets.

“A majority of them fall prey, contract HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases,” she said.

Mashonaland West province comprises seven administrative districts: Chegutu, Karoi, Zvimba, Kariba, Hurungwe, Sanyati and Mhondoro Ngezi.

Mr Davison Mambudzi, NAC Programmes Officer, highlighted that Mhondoro Ngezi has a 14,3 percent HIV prevalence, followed by Chegutu at 13 percent. Zvimba stands at 12,6 percent, Makonde at 12 percent, Hurungwe (Karoi) at 11,06 percent and Kariba at nine percent.

In Chegutu District, a 23-year-old Sista2Sista graduate, Theresa Garikai said at the tender age of 17, while still in Form Three, she entered into marriage, realising later the significance of education in empowerment, thanks to her involvement with the Sista2Sista club.

When she sought to continue her education by enrolling for Form Four at a secondary school near her homestead, she faced rejection due to her marital and parental status.

Undeterred, she persisted and found acceptance at a school 15km away that welcomed her despite societal norms and challenges.

“I managed to pass my O-levels. I want to do nursing and I thank my teachers, my in-laws, my husband and my family who were very supportive.

“I encourage other girls to join these clubs as they empower us,” said Garikai.

Her mentor, Thandiwe Musinami highlighted the collective effort involved in keeping girls in school, acknowledging the crucial role of community, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and parents in fostering an environment conducive to girls’ education. 

In a move to adopt a comprehensive approach to HIV intervention strategies, NAC is now including men in its male engagement strategy currently being tested in Magunje.

Male engagement aims to educate men on gender equality, sexual reproductive health, the negative impacts of gender-based violence and risky behaviours.

Individuals in the initiative including village heads have noted a rise in understanding about HIV and a decrease in stigma related to the virus.

This was apparent in their appeals for additional condoms and their readiness to support their pregnant partners in visiting clinics for early registration to safeguard their unborn children from HIV and STIs. 

NAC District Aids Co-ordinator for Hurungwe, Mr Admire Takawira said the male engagement programme aims to address the disparity in HIV interventions for older men.

By actively involving men in their healthcare, the programme seeks to increase the uptake of HIV services and ultimately improve health outcomes in the community.

“We saw that there was a gap in HIV interventions for older men and we are into engaging them to increase the uptake of health services,” he said. 

Ward 10 village head, Mr Gift Murapi said: “All HIV interventions were targeting women and youths while leaving us behind but now, we are also part of it. 

“Sex workers come to us when we get money from selling tobacco, so even without protection, we still take the risk.”

The male engagement strategy implemented by NAC is a step towards inclusive and comprehensive HIV prevention efforts.

By focusing on men and addressing their distinct needs and challenges, NAC is striving for a future where everyone has access to HIV prevention services and can live healthy, fulfilling lives.

In December 2020, the United Nations Aids Organisation released a new set of ambitious targets calling for 95 percent of all people living with HIV to know their status, 95 percent of all people diagnosed with HIV infection to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 95 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral treatment to have viral suppression by 2025.

Zimbabwe has set a target of having 95 percent of people who test HIV-positive to be on antiretroviral treatment by 2025.

The target follows strides made by the country in having approximately 90 percent of HIV-positive people on ARV therapy.

An estimated 1,3 million people are living with HIV in Zimbabwe and slightly over a million of them are on treatment. 

—@nqobilebhebhe