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My dad drops me at the gate of Kwekwe General Hospital and rushes off to work. I stroll to the nearest kiosk to grab something to satiate my appetite since the VIAC Clinic is yet to be opened.

Part of the janitors tell me to join the queue inside the Ante-natal Clinic since it is adjoined to the VIAC Clinic. Upon entering the Ante-natal ward, all the conversations are hushed and all eyes are on me.

I join the expecting mothers sitting on a bench. Jeers, curses and spiteful phrases are thrown at me. Wait a minute, they think I’m pregnant. Better yet, the government has introduced a new policy for expecting young mothers to continue with their studies, so why the emotional chastisement!

The VIAC clinic opens and I’m the first person to be attended since I’m in my school uniform. A rumble of protests arise from the crowd but I’m not daunted at all.

My emotional intelligence is too high to give in to environmental branding.

Doors, curtains and windows are banged, drawn and closed. The examination room is dark. A shrill, stern voice commands me to strip-off my clothes and lie on the examination bed.

A chain of curses and accusatory statements soon follow without her consulting my card. The other nurse looks at me with apologetic eyes and speaks in hushed undertones that she is a ‘stand-by’ since she has clocked her night shift.

They examine me, ask a few questions, write my report and send me to OPD to see a doctor. One of the junior nurses gives me a few pamphlets about cervical cancer.

At the doctor’s office, I join the queue and a lady sitting next to me stifles her cries. All the people ask her what is going on with her…her daughter was gang raped at some Vuzu party the previous night in Mbizo 15! The girl is paying consultation fees at the front office.

I rush to the front office to see the girl and she is so withdrawn from reality. Oh my word! And to my disgust, she had taken a bath. Evidence gone! I quickly do a counseling session to both the mother and her child before directing them to the VFU.

I came back and consulted the doctor, proceeded to the SIC’s office to get my scan request. Upon exiting the building to catch a commuter omnibus to Mbizo, I bump into Mr Munyaka who instructs me to go to school.

I laugh because I’m not going there until I report my issue to ZRP VFU.

Yes, it is my responsibility to see that my rights are being exercised. I am empowered. I know my SRH rights and I won’t let anyone infringe on them. Yes, I’m a custodian of my own rights…

Article written by Shumirai Sibanda