admin
Zvamaida Murwira in MIDRAND, South Africa
Zimbabwe’s major milestones in empowering the girl child came under the spotlight at the ongoing Pan-African Parliament (PAP) sitting, with Matabeleland North Member of Parliament, Cde Elizabeth Masuku, highlighting major strides in legal, economic and social reforms the Government has taken to educate and train girls.
Some of the initiatives include the promulgation of the Education Act that prohibits exclusion of the girl child from school on account of pregnancy, the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) where Government provides funding for vulnerable children and training of adolescent girls who are out of school, among others.
Cde Masuku said this while contributing to debate on a report presented by the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs titled, “Fostering an Africa fit for children.”
Newly elected PAP vice president Dr Fatimetou Habib presided over the plenary yesterday in place of PAP president Chief Fortune Charumbira who was committed elsewhere.
Cde Masuku told the continental legislative assembly that Zimbabwe had registered huge success in educating the girl child as a way to empower her through legal, economic and social reforms introduced by Government and its partners, despite the difficult conditions it might finds itself in.
“Educating a girl child is to educate the world. Zimbabwe has made significant strides in promoting girls and women’s education despite facing challenges. The Government has implemented various policies to ensure equal access to education. There is the Education Act which protects the right to education for girls by making education compulsory and disallowing discrimination based on pregnancy.
“However, girls still face barriers, particularly in secondary school; factors like poverty, family pressure, gender based violence, early marriage and inadequate sanitation contribute to girls dropping out of school,” said Cde Masuku.
She said a faith-based group, Support Girl Adolescent Education project, working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education had helped about 13 460 girls who were out of school with several empowerment initiatives that include vocational training and securing employment.
“We also have BEAM that helps those who do not have money to go to school. Overall, Zimbabwe has made progress but continued effort is needed to empower women in Africa.
“Without education, girls and women have fewer opportunities and little access to means of production.
“Without education, they cannot financially provide for themselves and their families,” said Cde Masuku.
She implored Africa to emulate Zimbabwe in empowering women.
“It is important for us to educate women and girls for the good of Africa. Let us also increase funding for education in Africa through our respective countries,” she said.
The report called on African countries to abide by several protocols that protect the rights of children.
It was noted that the status of child laws varies widely across the continent, reflecting both progress and ongoing challenges in safeguarding their rights and well-being.
“Member states have made significant strides in aligning their national laws with international and continental standards such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
“However, there remain considerable gaps in legislation, enforcement and implementation throughout the region,” reads the report.
Other MPs representing Zimbabwe include Zanu PF Chief Whip and Gutu South MP Cde Pupurai Togarepi, Mberengwa West MP Cde Tafanana Zhou and CCC’s Glen View North MP Mr Happymore Chidziva.
Online Reporter