Home Blog Page 412

Discuss sexual and reproductive health matters openly, Midlands youths told

TellZimNews
-
0
Discuss sexual and reproductive health matters openly, Midlands youths told


Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU-Youths and Stakeholders in the Midlands have been urged to openly engage and deliberate on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) education as most youths were being exposed to sexual transmitted infections treatment (STIs) due to fear.

Addressing youths and stakeholders who attended the Midlands Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) Youth Summit hosted by the Zimbabwe Professional Nurse Union (ZPNU) last Saturday, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) Executive Director Selipiwe Conerlia said it was important to open up and engage with youths on sexual reproductive health matters

“Let’s acknowledge it, youths are indulging in sex and quite a number have been affected by sexual related infections silently due to unprotected sexual activities. Let’s talk to our children as guardians because they are venturing into these things unknowingly. Some do not even know the implications ahead.

“As a residents representatives we believe that a healthy resident helps in building a health community and as youths you are part of the community and without healthy youths our tomorrow is doomed,” added Conerlia.

Youth Essence (YE) Director, Nobuhle Mahlahla urged youths to not engage in drug abuse, which also affects their health.

“Youths encounter lots of challenges socially and economically but despite these challenges, let me tell you that drugs are not the solution. Rather they lead to absolute poverty, poor judgment and lost opportunities,” Mahlahla said.

Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) lecturer and health practitioner Tsitsi Panganai said sensitization workshops on STIs, HIV/AIDS and sexual reproductive health must be conducted vigorously across the nation.

“As stakeholders, leaders and guardians let’s map out effective strategies to help young people and educate them. To the youths, let’s use the internet for developmental purposes because its wrong use has led to challenges which most youths are facing today,” Panganai said.

Women organizations advocate for disability friendly sexual harassment laws

TellZimNews
-
0
Women organizations advocate for disability friendly sexual harassment laws

 

Kumbirai Kahiya Chikowero
Veeslee Mhepo 
Women’s organizations have said people with disabilities should be consulted on sexual harassment concerns to make the laws friendly to their needs.
Sexual harassment has been defined in civic spaces as an unwelcome sexual attention that can take place in both public and private spaces.
Joint Parliamentary Portifolio Committees on Public Service Labor and Social Welfare together with Women Affairs, Gender Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development recently held public consultations on the proposed Sexual Harassment Bill around the country.
 A sexual harassment opinion paper by Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe said the proposed Sexual Harassment Bill should have contributions by people with disabilities (PWDs) as their concerns are often ignored.
“It is important that this law is contributed to by women and girls with disabilities to ensure that the law is inclusive, gender sensitive and reflects the needs of all people, particularly women and girls.
“Criminalizing sexual harassment will protect those who will not be covered under the realm of labor law. This will not mean removing such cases from the realm of labor law but would present an option for women to decide which forum they feel will best address their problem,” read the opinion paper.
IcodZim Marketing Officer Elinera Manyonga said she wished the bill could include  tough penalties to perpetrators who sexually harass disabled people and there should be  department  at the police station that specifically deal with sexual harassment  issues.
“We are for the proposed Sexual Harassment   Bill and hope to see it as an Act soon. Sexual harassment issues happen every day and punishment for perpetrators who abuse women especially disabled women should be tough, like at least five to ten years imprisonment because we want a disability friendly sexual harassment laws.
“The bill should also include specific departments in the police that deal with sexual harassment and these department should be disability friendly to cater for disabled people who come to report,” said Manyonga.
Musasa Project advocacy officer Rotina  Mafume said that the bill should clearly define sexual harassment and should include everyone in all sectors of life especially PWDs and  there should some form of censure to make sure sexual harassment offences are taken seriously.
“The bill should be all inclusive, disability friendly and there should be clear definition of sexual harassment. There should be prevention strategies that provide censure if an institution is not serious about sexual harassment for example if a company , political party or transport companies do not put measures to prevent sexual harassment issues,” said Mafume.
 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) officer Batanayi Gwangwawa suggested that the bill should define sexual harassment as wide as possible and perpetrators should be punished accordingly.
“The bill should define sexual harassment and give perpetrators appropriate sentences  because sexual harassment costs everyone even the government as they put in place structures in the  Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) and social services to assist survivors,” said Gwangwawa.
Girls and Women Empowerment Network Trust (GWEN) director Kumbirai Kahiya Chikowero said the bill should be clear, criminalize sexual harassment, cater for everyone, protect survivors and should set out punishment for every offense.
“Sexual Harassment Bill should include criminalization of sexual harassment and clearly set out punishment for offences, it should protect survivors in ways that do not affect their income or work space independence.
“There should be protection of whistle blowers, clear and broad definition of sexual harassment especially at the workplace and for PWDs.
“The bill should cover all institutions civil society, government, universities, informal sector and set up of district level committees to hear cases of sexual harassment and should clearly state that every employer should have in place sexual harassment policy and pass it to every employer especially new workers,” said Chikowero.

Chipinge town council stops water metre replacement, installations billing

TellZimNews
-
0
Chipinge town council stops water metre replacement, installations billing
Councillor Haruchemwi Nhengu 

Livingstone Mtetwa

CHIPINGE– Chipinge Town Council has made a resolution to stop charging residents for water metre replacements and installations after residents complained that they are not responsible for metre damages, TellZim News has heard.

This came out at a community engagement meeting organized by TellZim News on Wednesday June 2, 2021 with Chipinge Urban Ward 5 and 6 councillors Haruchemwi Nhengu and Lovemore Mutimwiyi respectively.

The councilors assured residents that council was no longer charging for metre replacement as it had taken into consideration the complaints that residents raised.

“This has been one of the troubling issues with council and its residents and the council has acknowledged that water meters in most cases were not damaged by the owners. They depreciate and sometimes it is caused by the fact that they will been lying desolate for a long time without water. It also depends on the manufacturer,” said Mutimwiyi.

Ward five Block Six residents complained on how the water was being unfairly distributed saying Block Six was being sidelined.

“We had a similar experience in our block and other blocks as well but we investigated and the problem was fixed. We will look into the matter and address it. The water is indeed opened by blocks so we won’t really know what is happening until such issues are brought up,” said Nhengu 

The residents however said if the local authority manages to address water and water meter issues they would have no issues.

The two councilors told residents that water issues have been on top of their priorities, through which they now manage to supply water to residents at least four times per week.

Police ‘unleash’ dog on security guard coming from duty

TellZimNews
-
0
Police ‘unleash’ dog on security guard coming from duty
Forward Sibanda  showing the wounds

Clayton Shereni 

MASHAVA–  Members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) who were on patrol in Mashava allegedly set a dog on a security guard who was coming from work in the wee hours of  May 27 2021. 

Forward Sibanda who is employed as a mine security guard was reportedly on his way from Temeraire at around 5.40am after finishing his night shift.

Sibanda told TellZim News that the police were using an unmarked vehicle and when they stopped in front of him, he began to run since robbery cases are on the rise in the area. 

“I was coming from work in the early hours of Thursday and when I saw a pick-up truck stopping in front of me, I began to run because people are being robbed by machete gangs. When they saw me running they set a dog on me and it caught my right leg, biting me several times. 

“They bundled me in the truck and when we reached the Mashava police station they released me without charge and apologized,” said Sibanda. 

A police report seen by TellZim News claims that Sibanda tried to escape from a crime scene, a dog was set on him and when he was taken to the station, he was released without charge. 

“The complainant was found at crime scene of copper cables and in trying to escape, he was chased after by a dog and was bitten. The same was verified and cleared at ZRP Mashava,” reads the report. 

Sibanda went to Bere Clinic where he received an injection but was referred to Masvingo for further treatment. 

Contacted for comment, provincial police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said the case had not been reported to their Mashava police post. 

“I have checked with our Mashava station and they told me that they haven’t recorded such a case,” said Dhewa. 

High crime rates have been reported in Mashava recently due to increased illegal mining activities which have prompted the rise of machete gangs. 

In February, a mine worker identified as Colet Moyo was reportedly assaulted and left for dead on his way to work. 

Moyo who tried to seek medical attention in Bulawayo where he was supposed to have an operation, later succumbed to the injuries sustained during the unfortunate incident.

Rujeko Sewer Pump Station work in progress

TellZimNews
-
0
Rujeko Sewer Pump Station work in progress
Edward Mukaratirwa

Kimberly Kusauka

Masvingo City Council’s Rujeko sewer pump station which has been experiencing perennial breakdowns in recent years is expected to be fully functional by next week. 

Delays in the procurement process of parts needed to fix the problem have been blamed for the continued leakage of raw sewer into Mucheke River.

Speaking during a recent press conference at the town house, Acting Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa confirmed that work is underway at the station.

“The sewer pump issue is cause for concern and some of the issues were beyond our control. We had breakdowns, but now we have secured the correct spares. The initial ones were wrong.

“As a result we had to return them to suppliers to give us new ones, but we have been assured that by weekend the pump station will be back up and running,” said Mukaratirwa. 

Masvingo was fined $8 000 in 2014 for discharging raw sewer into Mucheke river, one of the water bodies which flow into the city’s main source of water, Lake Mutirikwi. 

Mucheke River is currently in a bad state due to untamed discharge of raw sewer into the water body.

Media, CSOs critical in Covid-19 vaccination confidence building

TellZimNews
-
0
Media, CSOs critical in Covid-19 vaccination confidence building

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU-Media and Civil Society are a crucial part in building confidence towards government Covid-19 response, an engagement meeting on Covid-19 was told.

Addressing stakeholders at a Vendors Initiative for Social Economic Transformation (VISET) Covid-19 vaccination engagement meeting in collaboration with Gweru City Council recently, health expert Robert Chiduku said it was crucial for information to be availed in a transparent manner to help build vaccination confidence in citizens.

“The challenge we have regarding Covid-19 vaccination is lack of proper information on the vaccination exercise and the vaccine itself as people have been affected by misconceptions and misinformation on social media. This needs to be countered with proper ways of information dissemination and this information must be available for access to every citizen.

“Group polarization is one of the dangers of misinformation, where people now share and pressure each other with negative perceptions concerning the vaccine, with a lot of conspiracy theories arising,” Chiduku said.

Chiduku said it is crucial for media and civil society to be  granted access to information with transparency  and clarity on the vaccination program to allow for confidence building on vaccination.

National Association for Non-Governmental Organizations (NANGO), Midlands Regional Coordinator, Titus Mangoma said it was also important for civic spaces to be incorporated into the Covid 19 task forces.

“As civic spaces we also need transparency on vaccine information as this is the only thing that will help to build confidence in various constituencies. At the beginning of the pandemic, CSOs were part of the Covid19 taskforces but were later removed.

“The move affected many people as civic spaces have different thematic sectors which work hand in hand with people at the grassroots. We talk of People with Disabilities (PWDs), women and girls, the elderly among others. Through these sectors it’s much easier to educate citizens as they are constantly engaged,” said Mangoma.

Gweru Mayor Cllr Josiah Makombe said as a local authority they were also doing their part in engaging communities on the vaccination program.

“We still need to take this exercise to the people’s doorsteps so that we also complement government’s efforts of reaching the needed 60% herd immunity.

“We need stakeholders like VISET and Oxfam on board for us to effectively spearhead this initiative. There also need to put in place more mechanisms to raise awareness on the importance of getting the vaccine,” Makombe said.

Currently the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), under the guidelines of World Health Organization is administering three Covid 19 vaccines  namely  Sinopharm and Sinovac both from China and the Covaxin from India. 

65-year-old Chivi man in court for raping minor

TellZimNews
-
0
65-year-old Chivi man in court for raping minor

Tendai Mbede  

CHIREDZI- A 65-year-old man from Chivi recently appeared before Chiredzi Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu after being accused of raping his neighbor’s mentally challenged 14-year-old daughter, Tellzim News can report. 

The state represented by Noel Muranda alleged that on November 13, 2019 during the day, the accused (name withheld) asked the complainant to help him to sweep his bedroom and promising to give her some sweets and snacks in return.

The state argues that the complainant agreed and after she had finished cleaning, the accused began fondling the complainant’s breasts, removed her undergarment and raped her once.

The matter came to light three days later when the complainant opened up to her mother leading to the accused’s arrest. 

In his defense, the accused admitted to the court that he fondled the complainant at her own will after she had asked him to do so in order for her breasts to grow big as her siblings’ but never had sexual intercourse with her.

The accused argued that he was no longer sexually active as he had erectile dysfunction and had a catheter during the said period.

 “I did not mount on her because I had a catheter on, and it is even difficult for me to urinate so there is no way I could have raped her though I admit to fondling her,”he said. 

The case was remanded to June 25, 2020.

Singer Joztek comforts, uplifts rape victims through music

TellZimNews
-
0
Singer Joztek comforts, uplifts rape victims through music

Joram “Joztek” Vengesai

Terrence Ndowora

Ngundu- based singer Joram “Joztek” Vengesai has released two singles he says are meant to comfort and uplift rape victims.

Joztek (30) who hails from Musemwa village in Ngundu says he was motivated to compose both his songs “Anochema” and “Simudza Chiso” after a Chivi woman was brutally raped some time ago.

“I was motivated to compose this song after I heard the sad story of the Chivi woman who was raped. The purpose of the song was to comfort her and other rape victims who had suffered the same fate,” said Joztek.

Joztek told TellZim News that he later saw the need to compose an uplifting song featuring Blantina Zvoushe popularly known as Cinderella.

Joztek last year composed two songs ‘Denda’ and ‘Mweya Munyaradzi’ which raised awareness on the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘Denda’ lyrics talk about how deadly the virus is, whilst ‘Mweya Munyaradzi’ was a prayer and a comfort song for Zimbabweans, serving the purpose of comforting them from losses and misery which Covid-19 brought upon their lives.

The singer who prefers to record most of his music in Harare, has two albums namely ‘Iva Soja’ and ‘Muka”.

‘Iva Soja’ album comprises of six songs; Makandishorei, Iva soja, Varopafadzei, Tapinda musummer, Husando and Pakunamata.

‘MUKA’ album comprises of 10 songs which are Muka, Mwanasikana, Takafanana, Mwari mukuru, Huya hande, Rwendo rwerudo, Pasi idandaro, Ndaringa ringa, Inorira and Varopafadzei.

Joztek who started singing in 2015, said finances was the major hindrance and he is seeking for sponsorship. 

“Financial difficulties is slowing down the production of my music but I have hopes that music sponsors such as Tinashe Mutarisi of Nash Tv will one day come across my music and help me out. I know if I get a sponsor I will rock the airwaves because I have real talent,” said Joztek.

Strong grassroots institutions needed for sincere sexual harassment redress

TellZimNews
-
0
Strong grassroots institutions needed for sincere sexual harassment redress
Chido Madiwa

Cephas Shava 

MWENEZI– Sincere redress of rampant underreported harrowing cases of sexual harassment needs strong genuine grassroots rooted institutions which are manned by appropriate personnel, a public consultation on sexual harassment and the law heard on June 1in Mwenezi.

This was raised during a public hearing of the Sexual Harrassment Bill which was jointly presided over by the Parliamentary Portifolio Committee on Public Service Labor and Social Welfare together with the Women Affairs, Gender Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development held at Rutenga Growth Point Council Hall.

Making contributions, participants told the committee that they need to establish effective institutions right at grassroots levels so that various underreported cases of sexual harassment will be addressed.

“Cases of sexual harassment are very common at work places and deep in communities. What is needed is to establish strong institutions at district and ward level which will be manned by appropriate consultants.

“Here in Mwenezi District there is no female councilor and male councilors who were elected during the last elections are the ones who are carrying and discussing women’s concerns to the local authority,” said a female participant.

Gracious Gumbo, a participant from Ward 18 said female perpetrators of sexual harassment, which sometimes come veiled as adultery also need to be brought to book as much as men are. 

“Cases of adultery are becoming prevalent in communities, with men only being found guilty especially at traditional courts hearings. Women also need to be held accountable for the part they play,” Gracious Gumbo from Ward 14 said.

Some participants strongly condemned the increase in cases where rich perpetrators of sexual harassment end up slipping away from the justice system after hiring top-notch lawyers which they said reflected government’s failure to craft laws that makes it mandatory for all poor victims of sexual harassment to have free legal representation.

The public consultation was chaired by Mutasa North Legislator Chido Madiwa who is also the Chairperson of the Committee of Women Affairs, Gender Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development.

Maunganidze elected MISA Regional chair

TellZimNews
-
0
Maunganidze elected MISA Regional chair

From left Oesti Tsoana, Salome Kitomary  and Golden Maunganidze in blue

TellZim
Reporter

HARARE
– Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe’s national chairperson
Golden Maunganidze was elected to chair the Misa SADC regional chapter at an
election held in Harare over the weekend.

Maunganidze was
unanimously voted to be the new chairperson of the MISA Regional Governing Council
(RGC), taking over from Helen Mwale, the MISA Zambia former chairperson.

He will be deputized by Oesti Tsoana, who is MISA
Lesotho chairperson, while MISA Tanzania chairperson Salome Kitomary was
elected treasurer of the RGC.

In his acceptance speech, Maunganidze said MISA has
the opportunity to reconstruct itself into a competitive institution that is
renowned in shaping the course of expression, access to information and media
freedom in the world.

“This is a golden opportunity for MISA to define and
craft blue ocean strategies that consolidate its leadership position and
expertise on issues pertaining to free expression, access to information and
media freedom.

“We have an opportunity to sustain the
reconstruction of a competitive institution that stands tall among others in
shaping the course of expression, access to information and media freedom in
the SADC region continentally and globally,” said Maunganidze.

The meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the
Regional Multi-stakeholder Internet Governance Forum on the same day in Harare
also saw the RGC unanimously resolving that the MISA regional secretariat moves
to Zimbabwe in line with the strategic objectives of the organization.

Speaking on the same event, MISA Zimbabwe national
director Tabani Moyo said the move will be a huge task on the shoulders of MISA
Zimbabwe, it was an expression of unity of purpose among the chapters on the
need for registering sustainable impact through MISA’s interventions.

“All the chapters have a renewed sense of ownership,
belief and commitment to the network, whose footprints on campaigns on
expression, access to information and media freedom remain indelible in the region,”
Moyo said.

The MISA regional office closed in 2015 and since
the chapters had been organizing themselves to better lobby and advocacy
efforts.

1...411412413...964Page 412 of 964