By Nthokozo Gudu Iin Zvimba
Precious Hearts Haven a non-profit organization working towards the elimination of sexual and gender based violence against women and girls in Zimbabwe joined the world in commemorating International Day of The African Child on 15 June 2024.
The commemoration event was held in Zvimba and brought together different organizations in Zimbabwe, Unathi Children’s Network Trust which advocates for all the rights of children and Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) which specializes in providing pregnancy crisis management, contraception and family planning services across the country also collaborated in the commemorations.
International Day of An African Child takes place on June 16 every year , the commemorations by Precious Hearts Haven’s mission was to improve awareness on the children’s rights to education and health .
Speaking at the celebrations , Precious Hearts Haven Founding Director Precious Kiwiti highlighted the importance of commemorating International Day of The African Child as it educates young girls and boys to know their educational and health rights .
The day is to honor the courage and resilience of African Children who managed to overcome challenges to thrive, hence the celebration was a significant awareness raising event, through various activities ,we educated children on critical issues like drug and sexual abuse, sexual reproductive health rights, and contributing to their overall well-being and safety,” she said.
Precious Kiwiti also added that by providing sanitary wear for the girls and underwear for the boys would address a specific need faced by these children.
“Providing sanitary wear and underwear directly addresses health and hygiene needs,ensuring that children can attend school comfortably during their menstrual cycles and have the necessary clothing for personal dignity,”
“Our organization Precious Hearts Haven supports African children by providing essential resources like food, clothing , sanitary wear alongside educational programs that empower them with knowledge about their rights and health ,many African Children still face challenges such as access to education ,health care and protection from abuse ,addressing these requires collaborative efforts between governments, organizations and communities to create supportive environments,” She added.
The celebrations focused on educating children on their rights ,an awareness campaign equipping the children on their rights and responsibilities. Population Service Zimbabwe educated the young girls and boys on the methods of contraception ,as they also donated re-usable pads to the young girls.
Unathi Children’s Network Trust collaborated in this event by also donating sanitary wear and underwears for the young boys.
Founding Director at Unathi Children’s Network Nokuthula Guvaza added that Sexual Reproductive Health Rights affect both the girl and boy child.
“The beneficiaries have been privileged to access sanitary pads and boys briefs because it is a solemn right for every child to have appropriate clothing and access to menstrual care, coming from an underprivileged community is bad enough hence it has been ideal that we support the young ones by giving them 4 months supply of pads and the boys getting 4 pairs of underwear each as SRHR affect both the girls and boys,” she said.
Guvaza also highlighted on the activities which were incorporated in the celebrations to highlight African culture, health and well-being of an African Child.
“As we celebrate the day ,children from Lake Chivero Secondary did poetry which is part of pour culture and heritage ,they gave a drama piece which showed the various forms of abuse girl children go through which is aided by the patriarchal systems and norms that are still present in this modern day .Through the activities shown by the children during the celebrations, boys and girls should exist in equilibrium,” she said.
“As we commemorate the Day of the African Child ,we are also concerned on protecting the future as drug and substance abuse may also affect the vulnerable, these vulnerable children use drugs to escape hardship ,but it ruins their health, education , and communities, we call for education to protecting Africa’s future,” Joy Of All Generations Centre (JOAG) Representative Lee Chinyanga added.
Lake Chivero Secondary Representative Ndumiso Gwetu appreciated the organizations for donating to the school children and the community at large .
