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Anesu Kurebwaseka Mutare Correspondent
COMMUNITIES should shake off patriarchal mentality and work together in the fight to develop and empower the girl child just like her male counterpart, director for Simukai Child Programme, Mrs Barbara Matsanga said during commemorations for the International Day for the Girl Child in Mutare on Wednesday. Mrs Matsanga encouraged people to join hands in fighting for the girl child’s development and empowerment in a patriarchal society where her value was considered less important than that of boys. She said girls should be freed from the chains of oppression and suppression that they are bound with.

“Girls are failing to excel in different aspects of their lives because the normal development spheres of their lives are being altered by the violence, harassment and discrimination they have to deal with from a tender age,

“But as communities we should join and fight the cultural values that view the girl child as inferior, because our children — boy or girl — are equal, hence our advocating for girls to be given equal opportunities be it in the social, political or economic spheres because there is more to the girl child than merely being regarded as a future wife to someone,” she said. She also encouraged girls to be focused and be serious with their lives, while investing their time getting an education, which will enable them to face the barriers that society always erected in front of them to check their progress.

Manicaland provincial development officer, Women Affairs, Mr Emillio Chihono said challenges that the girl faced should be highlighted and addressed because there was need to fight child marriages that seem to be on the rise in Manicaland. He also urged communities to make it easy for girls to access health and educational services while promoting equal job and empowerment opportunities for them as well. PLAN and Simukai have since joined hands in the 18+ project in Mutare and Mutasa, as a way of empowering and educating girls about their value.