Moffat Mungazi
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
ZIMBABWE National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), in partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has officially launched the Mafararikwa Girls Hub, which becomes the sixth operational youth centre in Manicaland.
Located in Marange, the hub aims to address the unique challenges faced by young girls in the area, providing them with the much-needed support and empowerment, according to ZNFPC provincial marketing and communications officer, Mr Daniel Maromo.
In an interview on Monday, Mr Maromo explained that the initiative, launched in 2019, targets pressing issues such as early child marriages, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and school dropouts, which disproportionately affect young girls in the province.
“The youth centre, dubbed ‘the Girls Hub,’ was established after we identified the unique challenges facing the girl child in the area. We collaborated with the local leadership and community members on a study that highlighted the need to support and empower young women,” he said.
The study revealed significant gaps in sexual and reproductive health education, and lack of livelihood opportunities for young girls, prompting the creation of the hub as a safe and productive space.
“The centre is a product of a partnership between ZNFPC and AHF, and it emerged from a community-driven initiative. In 2019, we began engaging with young people and their parents to identify pressing issues. After recognising the challenges young girls faced, we established a platform offering SRHR education, life skills training and economic empowerment,” he said.
As a result, 153 girls received training in various life skills, including detergent-making, sewing, and carpentry. This, not only improved their livelihoods, but also equipped them with essential skills to achieve economic independence and break free from reliance on men for survival.
The Girls Hub is an exciting initiative that’s empowering young girls with valuable skills and promoting self-reliance.
Initially operating out of Mafararikwa High School, the project expanded to a standalone facility due to its growing scope.
This new hub offers various sections, including a baking area, sewing workshop, and detergent-making space, where girls can develop their skills and engage in income-generating activities.
The facility was officially opened by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial and Devolution Affairs, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, marking a significant milestone in supporting the local community.
By providing a dedicated space for girls to learn and grow, the Girls Hub is playing a vital role in promoting education, skill development, and economic empowerment in the region.
“Initially, the project operated out of Mafararikwa High School, but due to its growing scope, the decision was made to establish a standalone facility therefore the establishment of this facility. The magnitude of the project called for a dedicated location, and that is how we ended up with the Girls Hub. This new facility is designed to cater to the community’s needs,” said Mr Maromo.
The Mafararikwa Girls Hub adds to a network of other youth centres in the province, including those in Nyanyadzi (Chimanimani), Mutare Urban, Nyazura and Chiendambuya (Makoni), and Rimbi (Chipinge).
“These centres form part of a provincial strategy to provide young people with accessible, community-based support and to empower them through education, skills development, and social engagement,” said Mr Maromo.
ZNFPC’s future plans involve expanding their services to Mutasa, Nyanga, and Buhera districts, with the goal of opening more centres and continuing their outreach efforts. Their message to young people emphasizes the importance of education, career, love, and marriage, in that order. Preliminary work is already underway for the Buhera project, which aims to reach more young people in underserved areas.
In addition to expanding their youth centres, ZNFPC is also working to improve healthcare services for young people across the province.
They are collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to ensure that all health centres have youth-friendly trained nurses who can provide tailored services to meet the unique needs of young people.
ZNFPC’s efforts align with Government’s goals, as outlined in the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Strategy, to improve access to integrated family planning and reproductive health services.
By expanding their services and improving healthcare, ZNFPC is working towards creating a brighter future for young people in Zimbabwe.
Two young beneficiaries of the Mafararikwa Girls Hub, Ms Rudo Marange and Ms Tendai Hweya, shared their heartfelt testimonials about the centre’s transformative impact on their lives.
Ms Marange expressed her deep gratitude for the skills she acquired, saying: “I am incredibly thankful for the Mafararikwa Girls Hub.
It has empowered me with valuable skills like sewing and detergent-making. These skills will enable me to support myself and resist the pressures many girls face in our community. I now feel more confident and optimistic about my future.”
Ms Hweya highlighted the significance of the centre’s health education, stating: “I am eager to gain valuable insights from the sexual and reproductive health training. I hope it will enlighten us about our rights and equip us with knowledge on how to protect ourselves better. We have been assured that the hub is a safe space where we can grow, learn, and connect with fellow girls.”
