Gender Matrix Archives

Feli Nandi uses music to fight early child marriages

December 20, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

HAVING been married when she was around the age of 18 herself, songstress Felistas “Feli Nandi” Chipendo believes the world can be a better place if and when the girl child is allowed to be in school longer and if she is not rushed into marriage for any reason. By Michael Gwarisa According to UNICEF data, child marriage remains widespread in Zimbabwe and one woman out of every three was married before the age of 18. In Zimbabwe, some of the major drivers of child marriages include poverty, lack of…

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UMP chiefs commit to protect the girl child from sexual abuse and child marriages

November 28, 2022 Patricia Mashiri

CHIEFS from Uzumba, Maramba and Pfungwe (UMP) have launched the Chiefs’ commitments on promoting child protection and ending child marriages in an effort to reduce harmful practices that perpetuate child sexual abuse and marriages. By Patricia Mashiri With the help of Rozaria Memorial Trust, Ministry of local governance and public works and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, the chiefs who pledged their commitment are Chief Nyajina of Uzumba, Chief Chipfiyamiti of Uzumba, Chief Chinhanga of Maramba and Chief Chitsungo of Pfungwe. Addressing the National…

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Japan commits almost half a million United States dollars for increased access to GBV and SRH Services For Women And Young People

April 21, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

The Government of Japan has committed US$ 462,962 to strengthen Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) mitigation and response for vulnerable women and girls in the districts of Mbire and Shamva in Mashonaland Central Province, in a partnership with the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health agency. Staff Reporter Zimbabwe is currently experiencing a multi-hazard humanitarian crisis where a protracted climate change crisis has been further exacerbated by economic instability and the COVID-19 pandemic, among many other factors. The multi-hazard nature of this…

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From Heaven To Hell In 12 Months: A GBV Survivor’s Story

April 20, 2022April 20, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

NOMAGUGU Hurumba (22) is an orphan and a single mother to a three year old son. Growing up in Chiredzi, especially after the demise of her parents was never easy. To compound her woes, when she was in Form 3, Noma had to drop out of school after her siblings had indicated that they were no longer able to shoulder her school fees burden. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Chipinge She moved from Chiredzi to stay with her sister in Chipinge. However, persistent economic hardships in the country pushed her…

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Love Shouldn’t Hurt Campaign Movement Grows in The Grassroots

April 15, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

IN a move that is set to empower males to speak out and act against intimate partner violence in the homes and relationship settings, Population Solutions for Health (PSH) has taken the Love Shouldn’t Hurt campaign to rural and marginalised communities in Zimbabwe. By Michael Gwarisa in Bindura The Love Shouldn’t Hurt campaign is a two-year program that is implemented by Population Service International (PSI) through their partner Population Solutions for Health (PSH) with funding support from the Swedish Embassy. The campaign which started off as a mass media blitz…

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SAT Launches Workplace 50:50 Policy

April 3, 2022 Patricia Mashiri

IN a move that was meant to achieve gender equality at the places of work SRHR Africa Trust(SAT) together with Sex Rights Africa,a global organization that advocates for equality and equity at work place has launched the 50:50 workplace policy at regional level. By Patricia Mashiri The policy is aimed at encouraging commitment for addressing gender inequality at workplace which is urgent given the extent of sexual harassment in the workplace. Speaking during the launch, the guest of honor Commissioner Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe, the Chairperson for the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC)…

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Manicaland Child Marriage Survivors Find Solace In Economic Strengthening Programs

April 3, 2022April 4, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

DUE to economic hardships and prolonged schools closure at the back of recurrent COVID-19 induced lockdowns, Marvelous Tsambe* (16) from Chikore Village in Chimanimani entered into an early child marriage at the age 14 as an escape from the challenges back home. However, to her surprise, marriage did not bring the much anticipated economic escape. By Michael Gwarisa in Manicaland Just like most girls her age in her area, Marvelous fell for Majoni-Joni or those young men who illegally cross the border to work in South Africa. Whenever they return…

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Population Solutions For Health Urges Adolescent Girls To Take Up STEM subjects

April 2, 2022 Healthtimes

Population Solutions for Health (PSH), has encouraged young adolescent girls to take up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects to secure a better future for themselves. By Kudakwashe Pembere At a time when there is diminished interest in these subjects, PSH engaged TelOne Centre for Learning for a Career Fair for these girls in Form 4 to Form 6 to expand their horizon towards STEM opportunities. With support from the Embassy of Sweden in Harare, PSH and its Community Champions mobilised students from Mabvuku, Tafara, Chitungwiza, and Epworth to…

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Maisha Health, CancerServe Trust, celebrate Women’s Month

March 30, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

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Zim Women Doctors Making Waves

March 9, 2022 Michael Gwarisa

IN the beginning, the medical profession was sacred ground and somehow, a preserve for men. However over the years, women have made remarkable contributions to the field of medicine. As women around the world were permitted to graduate from medical schools, their accomplishments became more influential and far-reaching. In 1847, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. She was born in England but raised and educated in New York City. Years later, more women in Europe and the Americas enrolled for…

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