The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission has implored some development partners working in areas affected by Cyclone Idai to focus on cardinal gender issues affecting vulnerable girls.
Speaking during a hand over by Oxfam, of an assortment of goods worth thousands of dollars to the girls at Hlabisi Primary School (Ward 22) in Chimanimani last Wednesday, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission chairperson Mrs Margaret Mukahana said it was time for well wishers to move away from the emergency mode and focus on real issues affecting vulnerable young people.
Mrs Mukahana challenged the development partners to channel more resources towards resolving a myriad of problems affecting young females in and out of school.
“There are quite a number of disturbing reports that we continue to receive. The reports are to the effect that some young girls are not reporting for school because they do not have food and other essential resources required at school.
“Yes, chools were open in Chimanimani, but we still hear that children are reporting for lessons late due to various problems associated with Cyclone Idai.
“Some of the children are now orphans after their parents were swept away by the furious floods, and no one was left to help them. We are now calling on the development partners and other stakeholders, who have been helping the survivors, to kindly to address and find lasting solutions to these issues,” she said.
