IN an effort to eradicate new HIV infections, teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence (GBV) in communities, the Harare City Council in partnership with the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) have introduced youths games to keep young people engaged.
By Patricia Mashiri
The games include soccer, netball and traditional games such as nhodo, tsoro and other . Speaking during the games which took place in Mbare over the weekend, Mrs Calista Kaseke, Harare City Council Community Services Officer based in Mabvuku said the games are aimed at reducing idleness in youths.
There is a higher risk of indulging in dangerous activities by youths in the communities nowadays. There is rampart use of drug and substance abuse by the youths which results in many dropping out of school. The aim if they come here or play games in their communities, they avoid idleness. It also applies to the girl child. Like in the COVID-19 lockdowns we witnessed a lot of teenage pregnancies but if they have something like these ball games, they will have time to socialize and network with others.
“We are also targeting the reduction of gender-based violence which has been reported to have increased in our communities. We advise that people should have time to spend outside the homes and learning new things from others likewise we have seven districts today from those everyone will go home with something new from others,” said Mrs Kaseke.
She applauded ZNFPC for the services they offered during the games which included free HIV testing, counselling and contraceptives.
Mr Donald Dube, the ZNFPC Marketing and Communications Manager said the initiative was their way of engaging with the communities in trying to reduce gender-based violence as well as commemorating World AIDS day which was on the 1st of December 2021.
“This is us engaging with the communities in raising awareness and against gender- based violence as we are honoring 16 days against gender based violence as well World AIDS day. We are also fighting to have zero new infection by 2030.
“We have come to the youths since they are the most affected group. We have been witnessing a rise in teenage pregnancies, alcohol and substance abuse among others. We all need to fight this from a community level. The youths also need to embrace the access to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) services which we as ZNFPC advocates that they have access to. They need to decided for themselves anything concerning their bodies,” said Dube.
ZNFPC has been making raising awareness around SRHR as a way of reducing HIV incidence, teenage pregnancies and drug and substance abuse. They have also been engaging parliament around policies which deal with the reduction of age of consent regarding access to health services.
Meanwhile, Rufaro Mundozi (24), netball player, Budiriro-Glenview team said the ball games are good as they keep them occupied and distracts them from indulging in risky behaviors.
“I have been in these ball games for a while and I can testify that it occupies our minds. If we are not here for the competitions usually, we will be in our communities having sessions. It takes much of our times that it bails us from all the activities in the communities including drug abuse.
