POPULAR NEWS

  • “Zimbabwe Is Discrediting SADC”

    ZANU PF Accused Of Bribing SADC Elders To Retain From Losing Power

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Secret message for ED after his inauguration

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Thokozani Khupe Battling Cancer

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Presidential Election Results by Sunday evening -ZEC

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • {WATCH}: Moyo Tlof Tlof Video Breaks The Internet

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
“Zimbabwe Is Discrediting SADC”

ZANU PF Accused Of Bribing SADC Elders To Retain From Losing Power

August 30, 2023
Secret message for ED after his inauguration

Secret message for ED after his inauguration

September 5, 2023
Thokozani Khupe Battling Cancer

Thokozani Khupe Battling Cancer

September 7, 2023
Presidential Election Results by Sunday evening -ZEC

Presidential Election Results by Sunday evening -ZEC

August 26, 2023
Govt in panic mode, heavily armed anti-riot police patrol streets’

Zanu PF Supporters In Tanaka Were Thrashed By Black Boots

4
ITI President honored -Well done Sir

ITI President honored -Well done Sir

3
Zim As A Country Has Moved To SA:ANC

Zimbabweans A Burden On South Africa’s Fiscus

3
Malema, EFF blocked from invading white owned land

500 Buses Scheduled To Facilitate Zimbabweans To Go Home And Vote

3
Brito Urged Bosso Fans To Keep The Winning Spirit High

Bosso Confident About Brito Managing The Club And The Warriors

September 22, 2023
Beta Bricks On The Verge Of Shutting Down

Beta Bricks On The Verge Of Shutting Down

September 22, 2023
Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

September 22, 2023
AEK Athens: Hove Albion 2 – 3 Brighton

AEK Athens: Hove Albion 2 – 3 Brighton

September 22, 2023

Stay Connected

  • 647 Followers
  • 23.8k Followers

Recommended

20-YEAR-OLD Nabbed For Murder

Facebook Serial R@pist Sentenced To 124 Years Imprisonment

September 16, 2023
‘State delaying Madzibaba VeShanduko trial’

CCC’s ‘Mango’ Strategy Shakes Zanu PF With Fear

August 13, 2023

Most Popular

Brito Urged Bosso Fans To Keep The Winning Spirit High
Sports

Bosso Confident About Brito Managing The Club And The Warriors

September 22, 2023
Beta Bricks On The Verge Of Shutting Down
Business

Beta Bricks On The Verge Of Shutting Down

September 22, 2023
Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived
News

Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

September 22, 2023
  • LIVE FOOTBALL SCORES
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Vacancies
  • News
  • Crime and Courts
  • Elections 2023
  • Horror and Disaster
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Mjolo
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Tech
Friday, September 22, 2023
  • Login
News Report
  • News
    Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

    Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

    Bosa Leader  ForeWarns Ramaphosa Not To Attend Mnangagwa’s Inauguration

    Mmusi Maimane Criticized Ramaphosa For Siding With Oppressive Leaders In Zim

    Body Of Unidentified  Man Found With Missing Parts On An Island

    24-Year-Old Mother Up For Murder

    ZIMSEC Announces That It Will Be A Sole Supplier Of Science Chemicals And Consumables To Exam Centres

    ZIMSEC Will Increase Security Measures To Prevent The End Of Year Examinations Leakage

    H0rr0r : Woman Troubled By An Invisible Man For The Past 10 Years

    61-Year-Old Granny Nabbed For Theft

    FAZ Haunts ED

    FAZ Should Shut Down- Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Tech
    Answers: Drivers Licences Validity

    VID: Drivers to collect discs from Zimpost

    Zida reduces  licensing process

    Zida reduces licensing process

    X(Twitter), will give users ability to make voice and video calls – Elon Musk

    X(Twitter), will give users ability to make voice and video calls – Elon Musk

    NetOne Showcases Cutting-Edge Digital Solutions At Agric Show

    NetOne Showcases Cutting-Edge Digital Solutions At Agric Show

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
  • Entertainment
    21-year-old Brooke Bruk-Jackson Crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023

    21-year-old Brooke Bruk-Jackson Crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023

    Zimbabwean artist Xander Prat partners SA tech CEO to launch  Nomadhood

    Zimbabwean artist Xander Prat partners SA tech CEO to launch Nomadhood

    ‘Idols SA’ season 19’s top 9 Listed

    ‘Idols SA’ season 19’s top 9 Listed

    IPRs crucial for artists development: NACZ

    IPRs crucial for artists development: NACZ

    Bulawayo annual arts festival scheduled September 26 to 30

    Bulawayo annual arts festival scheduled September 26 to 30

    Mai TT Gains More Popularity Despite Being Jailed: Agricultural Show Peformance

    Mai TT Gains More Popularity Despite Being Jailed: Agricultural Show Peformance

  • Lifestyle
    Best Leadership Award for Professor Chakabwata

    The power of corporate identity By Professor Elias Chakabwata

    MCC to connect 10 000 houses to sewer system

    MCC to connect 10 000 houses to sewer system

    Father  Gets Sentenced To Only 2 Years In Jail After Murdering His Teenage Son In Cold Blood

    Male S_x Education On Prostate Cancer

    The leadership fears . BY Professor Elias Chakabwata

    Working with different personalities .By Professor Elias Chakabwata.

    ZIMBABWE makes significant strides towards ending HIV and Aids

    ZIMBABWE makes significant strides towards ending HIV and Aids

    Zimbabwe’s teenage mothers speak (Part 3)

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Game of Thrones
    • MotoGP 2017
    • eSports
    • Fashion Week
  • Vacancies
  • World
  • Religion
  • Mjolo
  • Celebrity
  • Horror and Disaster
  • Crime and Courts
  • Sports
    • Live Football Scores
  • Harare News
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

    Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

    Bosa Leader  ForeWarns Ramaphosa Not To Attend Mnangagwa’s Inauguration

    Mmusi Maimane Criticized Ramaphosa For Siding With Oppressive Leaders In Zim

    Body Of Unidentified  Man Found With Missing Parts On An Island

    24-Year-Old Mother Up For Murder

    ZIMSEC Announces That It Will Be A Sole Supplier Of Science Chemicals And Consumables To Exam Centres

    ZIMSEC Will Increase Security Measures To Prevent The End Of Year Examinations Leakage

    H0rr0r : Woman Troubled By An Invisible Man For The Past 10 Years

    61-Year-Old Granny Nabbed For Theft

    FAZ Haunts ED

    FAZ Should Shut Down- Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Tech
    Answers: Drivers Licences Validity

    VID: Drivers to collect discs from Zimpost

    Zida reduces  licensing process

    Zida reduces licensing process

    X(Twitter), will give users ability to make voice and video calls – Elon Musk

    X(Twitter), will give users ability to make voice and video calls – Elon Musk

    NetOne Showcases Cutting-Edge Digital Solutions At Agric Show

    NetOne Showcases Cutting-Edge Digital Solutions At Agric Show

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
  • Entertainment
    21-year-old Brooke Bruk-Jackson Crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023

    21-year-old Brooke Bruk-Jackson Crowned Miss Universe Zimbabwe 2023

    Zimbabwean artist Xander Prat partners SA tech CEO to launch  Nomadhood

    Zimbabwean artist Xander Prat partners SA tech CEO to launch Nomadhood

    ‘Idols SA’ season 19’s top 9 Listed

    ‘Idols SA’ season 19’s top 9 Listed

    IPRs crucial for artists development: NACZ

    IPRs crucial for artists development: NACZ

    Bulawayo annual arts festival scheduled September 26 to 30

    Bulawayo annual arts festival scheduled September 26 to 30

    Mai TT Gains More Popularity Despite Being Jailed: Agricultural Show Peformance

    Mai TT Gains More Popularity Despite Being Jailed: Agricultural Show Peformance

  • Lifestyle
    Best Leadership Award for Professor Chakabwata

    The power of corporate identity By Professor Elias Chakabwata

    MCC to connect 10 000 houses to sewer system

    MCC to connect 10 000 houses to sewer system

    Father  Gets Sentenced To Only 2 Years In Jail After Murdering His Teenage Son In Cold Blood

    Male S_x Education On Prostate Cancer

    The leadership fears . BY Professor Elias Chakabwata

    Working with different personalities .By Professor Elias Chakabwata.

    ZIMBABWE makes significant strides towards ending HIV and Aids

    ZIMBABWE makes significant strides towards ending HIV and Aids

    Zimbabwe’s teenage mothers speak (Part 3)

    Trending Tags

    • Golden Globes
    • Game of Thrones
    • MotoGP 2017
    • eSports
    • Fashion Week
  • Vacancies
  • World
  • Religion
  • Mjolo
  • Celebrity
  • Horror and Disaster
  • Crime and Courts
  • Sports
    • Live Football Scores
  • Harare News
News Report
No Result
View All Result
News Report
No Result
View All Result

Teenage Mothers Speaks Up

Mercy Muyambo by Mercy Muyambo
September 12, 2023
in Lifestyle
0
Teenage Mothers Speaks Up

IT was a dream of 15-year-old girl, Lessie to escape the harsh realities of poverty and find a better life in the big city.

In 2022, at the age of 14, she ran away from her home in Zvamatobwe village, Chivhu, Mashonaland East province, leaving behind her maternal great-grandmother who was her only guardian since the age of one.

RelatedPosts

Best Leadership Award for Professor Chakabwata

The power of corporate identity By Professor Elias Chakabwata

September 20, 2023
MCC to connect 10 000 houses to sewer system

MCC to connect 10 000 houses to sewer system

September 15, 2023
Father  Gets Sentenced To Only 2 Years In Jail After Murdering His Teenage Son In Cold Blood

Male S_x Education On Prostate Cancer

September 15, 2023
The leadership fears . BY Professor Elias Chakabwata

Working with different personalities .By Professor Elias Chakabwata.

September 14, 2023

“All I wanted was to find a job so that my great-grandmother could at least have a decent meal,” said Lessie.

Just like many other children in rural Zimbabwe, Lessie had grown up in poverty all her life.

This is the first of a three-part series, Breaking the stigma: Zimbabwe’s teenage mothers speak out about family abandonment and societal challenges; Lessie (15) and Grace (17) share their stories.

World Vision Zimbabwe said in 2018 that 4,5 million children lived in rural areas with 1,6 million of them living in extreme poverty.

This has seen more children adopt survival strategies in an attempt to change their narrative, thereby exposing some of them to a world that would make them even more vulnerable.

“After I finished my Grade 7 in November 2021, my grandmother told me that she could not afford to finance my secondary education to further my studies. Considering our situation at home, my great-grandmother had always been struggling to put food on the table, I then decided to leave for the city to earn a living,” said Lessie.

One afternoon in May 2022, Lessie’s grandmother sent her to the shops to buy a few items for the house. On her way to the shops, she decided to board a van that was heading to Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe.

Harare is located about 142km south-east of Chivhu.She hoped to find a job and quickly send the money to “gogo” (great-grandmother) as she dreamt of being able to care for her in the future.

Upon arrival in Mbare, Harare’s major and oldest suburb that connects different cities, towns as well and suburbs, reality snapped at her as she realised that she had nowhere to go. Mbare is also associated with all sorts of illegalities.

Lessie said: “The area was so crowded that I was even confused. I didn’t know what to do, where to go, or who to ask for employment.

“Although I was feeling uneasy with this new environment, the movement of people with so many activities was eye-catching that I even forgot I had no place to sleep when night came.”

In no time, darkness covered the Mbare sky and the streets seemed deserted as most people had left for the night.

Reality struck her as she was now on her own without any idea of where to go and who to ask for help.

“When I was busy looking for a small corner behind the shops to spend the night, three girls approached me and offered me a place to sleep. I quickly agreed thinking that my prayers have been answered,” she said.

“I never knew that this was going to be the worst nightmare of my life. I was taken to a house where I was told that I got a job; they gave me food and a cold drink.

I do not know what happened thereafter, but when I woke up the next day, I could not recall what had happened but what I realised was that my private parts were swollen,” Lessie said.

She had been sexually abused.This is how Lessie joined other girls on the streets who are taken advantage of and sexually exploited for money.

It is now her daily routine, to sleep around with men so that she can at least have a day’s meal.

The young girl ended up living on the streets of Mbare, where she was sexually abused and exploited by ruthless predators.

While the rise in girl child sexual exploitation may show a lack of responsibility on the part of certain families, it also exposes deeper issues brought about by Zimbabwe’s dire economic conditions.

Although Zimbabwe is one of the countries which have ratified most child rights instruments including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child among others, Unicef says the country is one of the top five countries worldwide with high prevalence of child sexual abuse.

Statistics from Childline Zimbabwe, a telephone hotline that works with the Zimbabwean government to address child abuse issues, showed that child abuse cases have risen over the years as it had received about 25 000 reports in 2018, with sexual abuse accounting for 26% of those, physical abuse for 20%, neglect for 17%, emotional abuse for 17% and other forms of abuse for 20%.

However, Unicef (2022) notes that it may be challenging to provide precise numbers of the children who have been sexually abused on the streets as it is difficult to ascertain the actual figures, due to the high mobility of these children.

A survey conducted by this writer in different parts of Harare including Hopley Farm, Epworth and Mbare reveals that most children are sexually exploited for as little as 50 cents (ZWL$3 000) to US$3 (ZWL$18 000) at the prevailing local exchange rate.

This means that to raise a reasonable amount the young woman must sleep with several men.

Sadly, in the blink of an eye, Lessie’s dreams and hopes were shattered as she found herself being sexually exploited to earn a living.

She fell pregnant within two months of being in Harare. This was before she could return to her great-grandmother.

“It’s not like I do not want to return home, but what would the people say about me having this baby? I am not sure if ‘gogo’ will accept it or not,” she says.

“Zvamanje manje handione zvichiita (I feel that it’s still early to bring this news to her), so I will stay here with my baby and continue hooking up with men so that I can take care of my baby.”

Lessie is now 15 and nursing a seven-month-old baby alone in a rented room in Mbare.

“I was sold off to a Harare trader by my grandmother”

In a related sad incident, Grace (17), did not run away from home in Makonde district, Mashonaland West province, but was sold off to a Harare-based peddler by her grandmother at the age of 14.

Grace struggles to talk about her loss and betrayal but after a therapeutic session organised by RhoNaFlo, a maternal health-focused organisation that seeks to promote and enhance safe births for adolescents, she opened up.

Grace grew up with her paternal grandmother after her parents separated when she was six years old.

Just like most people in the Makonde area, Grace’s family survives on subsistence farming. Her father had taken another wife while her mother left just after their separation.

Both parents would come and visit the young girl, but she remained in the custody of her grandmother.

When she finished Grade 7, she dropped out of school due to financial constraints.

Grace says: “One day a man who often visited our home selling clothes and shoes passed through our house. To me, this trader was not a stranger since he often passed through our house whenever he came to Makonde to sell clothes but on this fateful day, I saw him handing a US$100 note to my grandmother after a long conservation.

“Little did l know that it was my bride price.”

Her grandmother later told her that her regular uncle from Harare would take her to the city for shopping and return home.

“I was so excited that the day had finally come for me to go and see the big city.”

From Makonde to Harare it is about 146km.

“The next day, on a Monday, we boarded a bus to Harare and upon arrival, my uncle said that we needed to buy blankets so that I could have something to use for the night.

After that, we boarded a kombi (commuter omnibus) to Epworth which is about 17km from Harare central business district.

“When they got to Epworth, the man got a room to rent along Chiremba Road in Epworth.

“Uncle told me that I was no longer going back to Makonde since I was now his wife,” said Grace.

Confused, she tried to call her grandmother to inform her about what was transpiring, but the man snatched the phone away from her and told her that her grandmother was aware of everything as he had already given her US$100 as a token of marriage.

After a few days of living together, the man left her and never came back.

“I was left all alone, pregnant in the city, said Grace with a broken voice.Fortunately, RhoNaFlo identified her and supported her throughout her pregnancy.

However, in February this year, Grace’s child died after a short illness.

“The death of my baby left me with such a void in my life, and after such a huge betrayal from my family, I feel so angry, hurt, and yet so empty. Sending me away with some man to the city caused me so much pain. I have sworn to myself that I will never set foot in Makonde ever again,” said Grace with teary eyes.

“Here in Epworth, I am being labelled an irresponsible girl who left home at a young age to become a child bride.

“This did not happen intentionally or willingly, but I was sold and cheated by my own family and right now I have to do something so that I can survive alone in Harare,” she said.

Grace found a job in the neighbourhood as a shopkeeper in a tuckshop.With this job, she can get a meal and a place to sleep in the tuckshop.

“Recently, I met this other man here in Epworth whom I fell in love with. We go along very well, and I am expecting another child,” she said.

Grace is now five months pregnant with a second child and hoping that fate will smile at her this time around given the hardships and heartache she experienced during her first pregnancy.

She is optimistic that at the end of the tunnel, there is some light.

“Being part of the RhoNaFlo family has given me hope and the needed support to stay strong and healthy as a young expecting mother,” said Grace.

This story is the reality of the two teenage mothers who were forced to leave their homes and their families because of poverty. Now, they are trapped in a cycle of abuse and exploitation on the streets of Harare.

Many teenage mothers in Zimbabwe face a similar fate, as they are abandoned by their families and stigmatised by society.

Find out in the next episode how the young mothers are coping with the challenges of raising a child in such conditions.

Source Newsday

Tags: teenage mothers
Previous Post

The leadership fears . BY Professor Elias Chakabwata

Next Post

Chiwenga Warns Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe Breaking Pharmaceutical Laws

Mercy Muyambo

Mercy Muyambo

RelatedPosts

Best Leadership Award for Professor Chakabwata

The power of corporate identity By Professor Elias Chakabwata

by Talent Moyo
September 20, 2023
0

Issues of corporate identity are sometimes treated casually in corporates yet this issue is very critical to the well being...

MCC to connect 10 000 houses to sewer system

MCC to connect 10 000 houses to sewer system

by Sean Mlambo
September 15, 2023
0

Masvingo City Council is poised to connect more than 10 000 houses in Victoria Ranch suburb to its sewer system...

Father  Gets Sentenced To Only 2 Years In Jail After Murdering His Teenage Son In Cold Blood

Male S_x Education On Prostate Cancer

by Sean Mlambo
September 15, 2023
0

HAVE you ever heard about the claim that having more sex and ejaculating more reduces the risk of prostate cancer....

The leadership fears . BY Professor Elias Chakabwata

Working with different personalities .By Professor Elias Chakabwata.

by Sean Mlambo
September 14, 2023
1

  People are not engineered the same .There is a uniqueness that you find from one person to another .It...

ZIMBABWE makes significant strides towards ending HIV and Aids

ZIMBABWE makes significant strides towards ending HIV and Aids

by Sean Mlambo
September 14, 2023
0

ZIMBABWE has made significant strides towards ending HIV and Aids by 2030, with the prevalence rate now at 11 percent...

Next Post
VP Chiwenga Attends 11th Annual National Agribusiness Conference

Chiwenga Warns Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe Breaking Pharmaceutical Laws

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
“Zimbabwe Is Discrediting SADC”

ZANU PF Accused Of Bribing SADC Elders To Retain From Losing Power

August 30, 2023
Secret message for ED after his inauguration

Secret message for ED after his inauguration

September 5, 2023
Thokozani Khupe Battling Cancer

Thokozani Khupe Battling Cancer

September 7, 2023
Presidential Election Results by Sunday evening -ZEC

Presidential Election Results by Sunday evening -ZEC

August 26, 2023
Govt in panic mode, heavily armed anti-riot police patrol streets’

Zanu PF Supporters In Tanaka Were Thrashed By Black Boots

4
ITI President honored -Well done Sir

ITI President honored -Well done Sir

3
Zim As A Country Has Moved To SA:ANC

Zimbabweans A Burden On South Africa’s Fiscus

3
Malema, EFF blocked from invading white owned land

500 Buses Scheduled To Facilitate Zimbabweans To Go Home And Vote

3
Brito Urged Bosso Fans To Keep The Winning Spirit High

Bosso Confident About Brito Managing The Club And The Warriors

September 22, 2023
Beta Bricks On The Verge Of Shutting Down

Beta Bricks On The Verge Of Shutting Down

September 22, 2023
Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

September 22, 2023
AEK Athens: Hove Albion 2 – 3 Brighton

AEK Athens: Hove Albion 2 – 3 Brighton

September 22, 2023

Recent News

Brito Urged Bosso Fans To Keep The Winning Spirit High

Bosso Confident About Brito Managing The Club And The Warriors

September 22, 2023
Beta Bricks On The Verge Of Shutting Down

Beta Bricks On The Verge Of Shutting Down

September 22, 2023
Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

Prophet Magaya Is On Fire For Trying To Avoid A Story Of A Woman He Deceived

September 22, 2023
AEK Athens: Hove Albion 2 – 3 Brighton

AEK Athens: Hove Albion 2 – 3 Brighton

September 22, 2023
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
  • Terms of Service
  • Harare News
To Advertise Call us: +2638644308653

News Report Zimbabwe @2023

No Result
View All Result
  • LIVE FOOTBALL SCORES
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Vacancies
  • News
  • Crime and Courts
  • Elections 2023
  • Horror and Disaster
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Mjolo
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Tech

News Report Zimbabwe @2023

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In