At least 16 pupils from Monozi Primary School in Mbire District were unable to sit for their Grade Seven Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) examinations last week due to pregnancies, highlighting a troubling issue within the community. This revelation came during the inaugural session of mobile one-stop center engagements aimed at addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and related issues.
A teacher from Monozi Primary shared alarming insights into the situation, noting that the school has reported a significant number of dropouts this year. “As of late, 16 seventh-grade girls failed to sit for their Zimsec examinations, and we have determined that parents in this community do not value a girl’s education,” she stated. The teacher emphasized that many of these girls face abuse, particularly as they reach puberty.
In some cases, the teacher noted, parents negotiate silently with perpetrators when instances of abuse are reported, often accepting financial compensation in exchange for their silence. “Life just goes on after that, with no justice for the abused child,” she lamented. The situation is exacerbated by severe drought conditions in the area, which have driven some parents to trade their daughters for grain as a means of survival. This desperate choice has contributed to the rising numbers of teenage pregnancies and early marriages in the community.
Village head Ms. Rudo Chidembo expressed her deep concern over the plight of the girls, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention. “These centers have arrived just in time to address the growing issue of teenage pregnancies, sexual abuse, and early marriages. It was heartbreaking to hear about the girls who missed their final exams,” she said. The mobile one-stop centers initiative is part of a broader effort to improve access to comprehensive GBV services across Zimbabwe. These centers bring together various partners to provide essential services during community outreach events, including birth registration, clinical care from the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and legal support from organizations such as the Musasa Project.
The initiative aims to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence and provide necessary support to affected families. Ms. Chidembo urged the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the United Nations Development Fund to establish permanent structures to combat these pressing issues effectively. As the mobile one-stop centers operate in the area, they strive to empower communities and protect vulnerable children, particularly girls who face significant challenges in accessing education and escaping cycles of abuse. The alarming statistics from Monozi Primary School serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the rights and futures of young girls in Zimbabwe.
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