SIX visual content creators walked away winners of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Video Competition.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
They received prizes ranging from laptops, cameras and smartphones for outstanding content on themes such Access to SRHR services by young people, HIV prevention, prevention of Sexual and Gender Based Violence, including child marriage, preventing teenage pregnancy, and preventing substance abuse.
There were 24 submissions in the competition as content came from various settings as far as Insiza, in Matebeleland.
Most of the videos were inclined to promoting an end to child marriages while others spoke to access to sexual and reproductive health.
Some of the videos entailed personal experiences, while others were laced with humor and sadness. The filmakers fused animation and cinematography as some videos had drone shots.
Speaking during the event, UNFPA Zimbabwe Country Director Dr Esther Muia commended the aspiring filmmakers for coming up with thought provoking videos.
“I want to congratulate you for your creativity and imagination to passvery serious messages. Critical yet neglected issues in our society. Nobody talks about sexually transmitted diseases. Nobody talks about early child marriages. Nobody wants to talk about gender based violence,” she said.
Veteran Local filmmaker Ben Mahaka encouraged the budding filmmakers to make content based on what they believe in.
One of winners, Ibongwe Siyafa from Insiza said this recognition motivates him to do more as he longs to see child marriages ended in his district.
