The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is calling on the Zimbabwean government to prioritize the implementation of social policies that will ensure equitable access to education for all children, with a specific focus on girls.
ARTUZ vice president Christine Kayumba made the demand in light of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”
Addressing journalists recently, Kayumba stated that passing progressive legislation is not enough; there needs to be a tangible difference in the lives of girls and women.
“As we rally around this year’s theme of ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ we call upon the government to prioritize the implementation of these transformative social policies.
“It is not enough to have progressive legislation; we must ensure that it translates into tangible improvements in the lives of girls and women,” she said.
Kayumba also urged the media to play a critical role in highlighting the challenges girls face in accessing education and the importance of implementing these policies.
“Members of the fourth estate, you have a critical role to play in this process. You have the power to shed light on the challenges faced by girls in accessing education and the importance of implementing these policies.
“We emphasize that ensuring continuous education for pregnant learners, access to sexual and reproductive health services, gender equality within the school system, and the management of sexual abuse cases are not optional but essential components of a just and equitable education system,’ said Kayumba.
Kayumba outlined several essential components for a just and equitable education system, including: “Continued education for pregnant students, Access to sexual and reproductive health services and Gender equality within schools”.
She also acknowledged the positive step Zimbabwe took in adopting the Education Amendment Act of 2020.
This act aligned the country’s Education Act with the progressive provisions of the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights.
Addressing media practitioners, ARTUZ President Obert Masaraure argued that the government’s failure to effectively implement the aforementioned policies hinders progress towards achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls in the education sector.
“Our main goal is to ensure a safe and supportive educational environment for all students, with zero tolerance for sexual abuse.
“However, we have observed that the government’s inefficient implementation of policies is hindering progress in achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls in the education sector,” he said.
“ARTUZ is dedicated to closely monitoring the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s (MoPSE) response to cases of sexual abuse in schools and effectively documenting these incidents,” he added.
