Sinokubonga Nkala
Sipepisiwe Moyo
THE 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which ran from November 25 to December 10 under the theme “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNITE to End Violence Against Women and Girls”, has seen Miss Rural Zimbabwe Matabeleland South contestants raising awareness on issues affecting women and girls in rural areas.
Nyasha Mareza from Bulilima who was crowned Miss Rural Zimbabwe Matabeleland South this year, highlighted the plight of teenage girls in her community.
“Most teenage girls from Bulilima fall victim to abuse, leading to teenage pregnancies and a high number of single mothers,” she said.
“Many aspire to go to Botswana or South Africa, often falling prey to men who promise a better life but abandon them after impregnating them. This cycle repeats every December, leaving young girls with shattered educational dreams, multiple children by the age of 18, and often infected with HIV or other STDs.”
She called for awareness campaigns starting at primary school level to empower girls and educate them about the dangers of early and unprotected sex.
Nomvula Mafu, another contestant from Matabeleland South, echoed Nyasha’s sentiments.
“Rural girls face abuse even on their way to buy bread. In areas like Mbondweni, where there is no police station, girls are beaten and forced into relationships by boys with no avenues for reporting such incidents. We endure daily exposure to violence,” said Mafu.
Miss Rural Zimbabwe founder, Sipho Mazibuko, attributed the rise in GBV to drug and substance abuse.
“As the founder of Miss Rural Zimbabwe and Mental Voices Trust, I use the pageant to spread awareness of GBV in rural areas. We teach girls their rights and emphasise the importance of preserving their bodies until they’re older and more informed about sexual activities,” she said.
Mazibuko also called for the government to ban “njengu”, a cheap and harmful alcohol prevalent in Matabeleland.
“Njengu is destroying our youth. Drunken perpetrators rape and abuse girls and even assault their parents when denied money to buy alcohol. Legislators who profit from selling njengu are complicit in fuelling GBV,” she charged.
She further highlighted the urgent need for awareness campaigns to reach remote rural areas.
“Education on drug and substance abuse only reaches growth points. Deep rural communities are left in the dark,” she said.
Mental Voices Trust has partnered with Ingutsheni Hospital to show contestants the impact of drug abuse by visiting mental health patients.
Sifiso Moyo, a Community Child Care worker from Insiza district, shared the grim reality of GBV in rural areas.
“Girls fall victim to illegal gold panners (amakorokoza) who impregnate schoolchildren by luring them with money and false promises of a lavish lifestyle,” she explained.
Moyo revealed that care workers often fear for their safety, as police disclose their identities after reporting cases.
“We’re working tirelessly to raise awareness about GBV, teenage pregnancies, and drug abuse, but the lack of enforcement and support from authorities hinders our efforts,” she said.
mbulelo smpofu
