Online Reporter
Takudzwa Manzero
Post Correspondent
A JOINT call to action has been made by Zimbabwe and Korea to combat the scourge of youth delinquency in Headlands in Makoni District.
The call was made during a public education seminar on the National Inquiry on Ending Child Marriages Findings: Anti-Child Marriages, Teenage Pregnancies, and Drug and Substance Abuse Programme held at Mt Carmel High School in Headlands last week.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission, in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), Koica Alumni Association of Zimbabwe (KAAZ), Ministry of Women Affairs,
Community, Small to Medium Enterprises Development, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Plan International, Zoe Empowers, Zimbabwe Republic Police, and District Development Coordinator, hosted this public education and dissemination event in Makoni District.
The event was aimed at tackling the high incidence of youth delinquency in the area, which is reportedly the worst-affected area in the province.
Schools that participated include – Mt Carmel Primary, Nehumba Primary, Zambara Primary and Secondary, Yorkshire Primary and Secondary, Lawrencedale Primary, Mubvurungwa Primary, Nyakuipa Primary and Mondozi Primary.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said: “Today, we unite against the scourges of child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and the growing threat of drug and substance abuse. I commend ZGC and the Koica Alumni Association of Zimbabwe for executing this unique collaboration, whereby school children will benefit from inter-governmental scholarships between Zimbabwe and South Korea, and subsequently return home to implement projects tailored to meet societal needs.
“The presence of the South Korean Embassy underscores the mutual respect and cooperation between our two nations.
Furthermore, the programming around gender equality demonstrates that both nations are established democracies that respect civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights enshrined in international frameworks, such as the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and the Beijing Platform.
“To our development partners, your complementary role in supporting national development priorities will not go unnoticed, as we creatively confront the challenges threatening our children’s wellbeing and future.”
The ZGC 2022 National Inquiry research found that Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of child marriages globally, with rural provinces like Manicaland disproportionately affected.
Nationally, the study reported that 31 percent of girls under 18 were married off, with four percent married before the age of 15.
The prevalence of child marriage and teenage pregnancies was significantly higher in rural areas (40 percent) compared to urban centres (21,3 percent).
National Aids Council 2024 adolescent pregnancy statistics for Makoni District recorded 2 083 cases, with Headlands identified as a hotspot.
Furthermore, school children are facing a growing crisis of drug and substance abuse, with reports from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and law enforcement agencies indicating an increase in the abuse of crystal meth, astra, and bronclear in both rural and urban areas this year.
South Korean Ambassador, Ambassador Jae Kyung Park said: “A lot of groundwork has been done behind the scenes by ZGC, the Embassy, and KOAZ, culminating in the public awareness event we are participating in today. This is a true testament to the strong relationship between Zimbabwe and Korea.
Korea understands the challenges Zimbabwe is facing and stands ready to support and empower the people as they strive to achieve an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
“To support young women, in particular, and continue strengthening relationships between the people of the two countries, the Embassy of Korea has included young women’s empowerment as one of its focus areas for 2025. Empowered with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and make informed decisions, we hope that young women will be able to realise their full potential and contribute to social and economic transformation. Empowering young women is not only a moral imperative but also a smart development strategy. When young women are empowered, they contribute to economic growth, reduce poverty and inequality.”
In support of the youth of Headlands, ZGC also donated 500 reusable sanitary pads.
