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Vaidah Mashangwa
BY providing orphans and vulnerable children with education, the First Lady Cde Grace Mugabe has indeed managed to give these children hope. She echoes the aspirations of President Mugabe who soon after the country’s attainment of independence made sure that education for all became the mainstay of the hard won independence.

The programme saw the construction of more primary and secondary schools and increased enrolment across the country.

By educating orphans and vulnerable children, Cde Mugabe has ensured this mandate remains alive.

According to the Sadc Gender Protocol of 2013, the literacy rates in Zimbabwe stand at 97 percent for women and 98 percent for men. The country’s literacy level is at 97 percent in overall while the net enrolment ratio is at 98 percent for both boys and girls.

As such, Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s leading nations on literacy levels.

Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi, Seychelles, Tanzania and South Africa are some of the Sadc countries that are set to meet Millennium Development Goal number two of achieving universal primary education by 2015.

Countries such as Mozambique, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo still lag behind with girls comprising 47 percent of primary school goers.

Section 75 of the New Constitution provides for the right to education while Section 27 (2) of national objectives states that: The state must take measures to ensure that girls are afforded the same opportunities as boys to obtain education at all levels.

The efforts by Cde Mugabe to ensure that education is provided to every child are commendable.

There are a number of factors that hinder female participation in education such as geographical, socio-cultural, health, economic, religious, legal and political issues.

In terms of socio-cultural issues, the widespread operation of the patriarchal system of social organisation such as early marriages, early pregnancy, heavier domestic and subsistence duties for females and a general lower regard for the value of female life, all affect the full participation of girls in education.

There are also problems related to seclusion and security of the girl child as she travels to and from school. The First Lady defied the odds and challenged such systems by providing a decent educational environment for marginalised and vulnerable children.

The Zimbabwe 2011 Labour Force Survey ZimStats highlighted that financial constraints and distances to where schools are, remain the main reasons for children not attending school.

The effects are more acute in rural areas. Of the ten provinces in the country, Midlands (22 percent) and Masvingo (19 percent) had the highest number of children out of school due to the long distances they walk to school.

The children in Mashonaland Central (26 percent) and Mashonaland West (20 percent) cited financial constraints as the major reason for not attending school.

The effects of poverty and malnutrition on the health of school going children are harsher on girls than boys thereby affecting their retention rate and performance.

By providing adequate food, shelter and clothing to these orphans and vulnerable children, the First Lady’s initiatives ensure that they have a 100 percent completion rate.

Cde Mugabe has set a rare example of her love for the less privileged in society.

If every Zimbabwean contributes to this cause, even in the smallest possible way, a big difference can be made in these children’s lives.

With the unfriendly economic environment prevailing in the country, the First Lady could have diverted all these efforts to her businesses or farming activities but she chose to contribute to the lives of these children in a very special way.

There are hidden educational costs that we rarely think of such as the provision of stationery and uniforms that must be catered for. We must not forget the multiple roles she performs as the First Lady, a mother, wife, mentor, businesswoman and farmer among others.

More women can pluck a leaf or two from such dedication to the welfare of children and the country as a whole. This is an indication that women can balance their roles no matter what position they hold in society.

The nation should learn that no matter one’s background, one can still have big dreams and aspirations that can come to fruition provided they have the right mindset and support.

This underscores the need to incorporate local stakeholders support and assistance.

Cde Mugabe’s involvement with those living with disabilities and as patron of the Danhiko Paralympic Games is also a clear indication that she is passionate about uplifting the lives of the disadvantaged groups in society.

• Vaidah Mashangwa is the Provincial Development Officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs Gender and Community Development. She can be contacted on 0772 111592 or email [email protected]