New approaches required to curb under age pregnancies
By Spiwe Chiwanda
Agnes Mafuta (59) who lives in Lobengula suburb in Bulawayo metropolitan province says the recent wave of pregnancies by girls as young as 10 is a clear indication that current efforts at promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights among young people lack some critical components that should be incorporated in-order to curb that problem.
Agnes feels that the prevailing environment has disconnected young people from their culture and that they now lack parental and community guidance that should protect them from engaging in sexual activities at a tender age.
“There is no denying the fact that some components of our culture are abusive to women and girls. Practices such as child marriage and virginity testing violate the rights of girls. However, the component of child discipline has been eroded by various laws and influence of pressure groups. Children now do as they please. Children are protected by so many laws that even parents may be arrested for disciplining their own child. Corporal punishment is important,” says Agnes.
Agnes says traditionally, the role of disciplining a child was thrust upon the community as a whole. She says people used to watch each other’s back and any adult who came across a misbehaving child would enforce some form of discipline or would report to the parent.
“These days no one cares. A child can engage in sexual activities right outside your gate and no-one will care to tell you about it. Children bring in boyfriends in your absence yet the neighbor are there and not doing anything about it. It is a sad situation. We will continue to have such challenges if we do not change our attitude,” says Agnes.
Agnes says the concept of ‘Ubuntu’ which epitomized the African life was anchored on collectivism rather than individualism. She says from a tender age, children were taught to regard and treat all elders as their own parents. She says this ensured that wherever they are, they would be close to someone to guide them. She adds that people were not related by not only by birth but also through totems. She says this installed a sense of responsibility on adults to care for young people.
Locardia Mutomba (63) from Old Lobengula in Bulawayo metropolitan province says the current environment has weakened, rather than strengthen women. She says women are now treated as objects whereas in the traditional societies, women played revered roles as mothers and custodians of mankind.
“As a mother, I try to balance my cultural beliefs and the current environment so as to provide holistic support for my children and grandchildren. It is painful to see a pregnant 10-year old child. What has become of this world? We need to stop the tide. We can no longer pretend that all is well. The stringent laws have failed because no-one is being arrested for all these pregnancies,” says Locardia.
Views expressed in the story do not necessarily represent the views of CCCD Zimbabwe
