The Girls Rights Collective (GRC), a network of girl child focused non-governmental organisations with a common agenda and collective impact on girls rights in Zimbabwe and beyond said it will continue providing safe and interactive platforms for girls and young women to meet and share ideas on various day to day issues affecting them, mentor each other, speak and act collectively against norms, harmful practices and policies that hinder them from achieving their full potential in all their spheres of life.
Formed in 2021, GRC said it seeks to amplify the voice of the girl child at local, national, regional and international levels.
GRC, is a network of girl child focused non-governmental organisations that include trusts, CSOs, FBOs, and individuals, being led by Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS) – a community based, non-governmental organization that seeks to promote the rights and empowerment of the girl child in the home, school and community.
In an interview with the Daily News, GRC National Coordinator who is also the SYS Coordinator of the Girls Rights Collective, Chiedza Paradzayi said it is an honour to be the first Girl child led and driven coalition amplifying the voice of the girl child in Zimbabwe and beyond.
“We are proud of our senior mentors who continue to guide, provide moral support as well as technical assistance to us as we seek to continue impacting positively the lives of every girl child in Zimbabwe and beyond. Girl’s rights are human rights yet millions of girls continue to struggle to claim their rights,” said Paradzayi.
“Historically girls have always suffered under these trails of exploitation especially sexual exploitation because in the Shona culture girls are perceived to be wives and mothers even in their infancy due to relations that are maintained traditionally.
“Cultural practices mostly expose girls to abuse as they are socialized into accepting the status quo. On top of that, girls face another form of discrimination simply for being young and female.
“This is therefore taking up the space and opportunities that should be available to them. Thus, the Girls Rights Collective came as a unit to curb all these violations against the girl child,” said Paradzayi.
She said girl child participation is spoken of in the global community but however girl’s rights do not have an independent demographic pillar of its own, thus the formation of the Girls Rights Collective.
“Girl child participation is one of the core principles as children and young people have the right to freely express their views and there is an obligation to listen to children’s views and to facilitate their participation in all matters affecting them within their families, schools, local communities, public services, institutions, government policies and judicial procedures.
“Thus, it paves way for the elaborated understanding of the issues and problems that affect them, seeing them as change agents ensure a home grown solution which would help alleviate problems associated and attached to their lives.
“GRC which is a vibrant girl led movement has the main thrust of removing girls in the shadows of women and children’s rights so they independently take their place in the community. That would ensure they demand and take back their space which is rightfully theirs thereby creating a permanent solution. This in turn will result in girls having a voice to discuss issues of gender and leadership, and consequently awareness of issues concerning gender inequity,” added Paradzayi.
by Beaven Dhliwayo
Staff Writer
