admin
Zvamaida Murwira in Midrand, South Africa
Zimbabwe’s major milestones in empowering the girl child came under the spotlight during the ongoing Pan African Parliament sitting, with Matabeleland North Member of Parliament, Cde Elizabeth Masuku highlighting that Zimbabwe has registered great success in educating and empowering the girl child through various initiatives that were introduced by the Government and its partners.
Some of the initiatives include the promulgation of the Education Act that prohibits the exclusion of girl child from school on account of pregnancy, the Basic Education Assistance Module where the Government provides funding for vulnerable children, and training of adolescent girls who are out of school.
Cde Masuku said this on Thursday while contributing to 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 as PAP president Chief Fortune Charumbira was engaged in other commitments.
Said Cde Masuku: “Zimbabwe has made significant strides in promoting girls’ and women’s education,” said Cde Masuku.
“The Government has implemented various policies to ensure equal access to education. The Education Act protects girls’ right to education by making education compulsory. It also prohibits discrimination based on pregnancy.
“However, girls still face barriers, particularly in secondary school, factors like poverty, family pressure, gender-based violence, early marriages, and inadequate sanitation contributes to girls dropping out of school.”
She said a faith-based group, Support Girl Adolescent Education Project, has been working with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to empower about 13 460 girls who dropped out of school with vocational training and employment.
“The Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) helps those who do not have money to go to school. Overall, Zimbabwe has made great 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. Let us increase funding for education in Africa,” said Cde Masuku.
A report that was presented called on African countries to abide by several protocols that protect the rights of children.
It was noted that the status of child laws vary widely across the continent, reflecting both progress and 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 part of 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 Glenview North MP, Mr Happymore Chidziva.
Online Reporter