Sexual Violence Prevalent Among Teens
The Chronicle – Startling statistics from the National Aids Council (NAC) have revealed the extent of sexual violence, teenage pregnancies, and HIV infections among adolescents in Zimbabwe, prompting urgent action from community leaders and stakeholders.
According to NAC, 23 percent of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 have experienced sexual violence while 17 percent of adolescent girls in the same age group have given birth and another 17 percent are pregnant with their first child.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among 15 to 19-year-olds stand at eight percent for boys and nine percent for girls, while 38.3 percent of young women aged 20 to 24 have suffered physical violence since the age of 15.
Statistics also revealed that between 40 percent and 70 percent of girls with disabilities experience sexual abuse upon reaching 18 years.
The HIV burden remains disproportionately high among young women, with females aged 15 to 19 having an HIV incidence rate 7.3 times higher than their male counterparts.
Against this backdrop, traditional leaders from four provinces are gathered in Gweru for a four-day orientation workshop on the “Not in My Village” campaign, an initiative aimed at combating teenage pregnancies and child marriages, as well as fighting against HIV/AIDS.
Speaking during the workshop, NAC’s Mashonaland East provincial manager, Mr. Wilfred Dube, said there is a need for a multi-stakeholder approach to bridge knowledge gaps on HIV prevention and adolescent health.
He said while 51 percent of girls and 49 percent of boys aged 15 to 19 have correct knowledge of HIV, there are still emerging issues such as substance and alcohol abuse that need urgent attention.
“Prevalence of drug abuse is at 57 percent among young people. There is also limited access to social services such as health, education, social welfare, legal and gender-based services among adolescents and youths,” said Mr. Dube.
The Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is spearheading the “Not in My Village” campaign.
The initiative is youth-led, driven by the Young People’s Network on Health and Wellbeing (YPNHW), in partnership with NAC.
Initially launched last year during World Population Day commemorations at Nzvimbo High School in Mazowe District, Mashonaland Central, the campaign is now expanding to Matabeleland South, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, and Mashonaland West.
Targeted districts include Insiza, Beitbridge, Murehwa, Goromonzi, Hurungwe, Chegutu, Mutare, and Chipinge.
Speaking at the workshop, the president of the Chiefs Council, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, stressed the importance of collective commitment in securing a better future for young people.
“By engaging us as custodians of our communities in driving this campaign, you demonstrated visionary leadership in fostering positive change. To our respected chiefs, your leadership as guardians of both law and culture is indispensable in shaping rural development,” he said.
“Your active participation in co-creating this programme underscores your unwavering dedication to the well-being of adolescents and young people.”
Chief Mtshane Khumalo said the “Not in My Village” campaign is a bold step towards dismantling barriers that stunt the growth of children and hinder national progress.
YPNHW national facilitator, Mr. Dumisani Ngwenya, said the campaign is meant to raise awareness on the dangers of child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
“It is hoped that the campaign will lead to a significant reduction in child marriages and teenage pregnancies, especially in rural districts,” he said.
Eliminating child marriages and teenage pregnancies aligns with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which aims to create a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030. The Chronicle
