By Decide Nhendo
My Age Zimbabwe Trust is set to host Masvingo Youth Arts Festival (Maya) at the Charles Austin Theatre where local artists are expected to showcase their talent on July 12 and 13.
Speaking to TellZim News, My Age Communications Officer Veeslee Mhepo said this year’s festival is running under the theme; ‘Spaces, Solutions and Solidarity’. She said the aim is to create a platform to capacitate women in decision-making, exercising their Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), making informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health care.
“The MAYA Festival, themed “Spaces, Solutions, and Solidarity” will be focusing on bodily autonomy of women. It is an event dedicated to raising awareness and promoting discussions about the issue of women’s bodily autonomy.
“The festival aims to create a safe and inclusive space where individuals can come together to explore and address challenges faced by women in asserting control over their bodies,” said Mhepo.
She said the event was going to be hosted at Nemanwa grounds on July 12 and at Charles Austin Theatre on the 13th and said all people were invited to attend the youth arts festival so they can learn or share ideas.
Mhepo said events including poetry slam and power talk will be held at Granez African Restaurant and Mucheke Hall respectively.
Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Masvingo province arts and culture officer Jefinias Warara said the festival was important because art works were an interesting way to relay information on women’s bodily autonomy.
He said this year’s theme was essential because despite capacitating women about their bodily rights, it was also going to teach men to respect women.
“The Maya Festival is a good way to share information on women’s bodily autonomy because artists through theatre, songs and visual arts can easily communicate with people, rather than the usual ways of communicating like speeches.
“This year’s youth arts festival theme is not going to help only women alone but it is also going to teach men to respect women, which is essential for community development,” said Warara.
