By Admore Mbonda in Hurungwe
Hurungwe – Locadia Dzinoreva, a woman from Vhareta Village in Chiroti Ward 24, embodies the troubling reality faced by many young girls in her community.
After enduring stigmatization from her in-laws due to their religious beliefs, she made the difficult decision to leave her marriage.
Her story is not unique—many young girls in Hurungwe marry at an early age, only to face divorce and subsequent vulnerability to exploitation by older men.
These concerns were highlighted during a recent media tour organized by the National AIDS Council (NAC).
“I learned a lot from the Sista 2 Sista program,” Dzinoreva shared. “Married at a tender age, life became difficult after my husband left me. Joining Sista 2 Sista equipped me with self-help skills like soap making and chicken rearing. It also trained me to counsel others in my community.”
Local advocate Admire Takawira expressed alarm over the growing number of young girls being lured into relationships with older tobacco farmers. This trend exposes them to unprotected sex, increasing their risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Admire Takawira
Statistics from 2024 paint a grim picture: Hurungwe has recorded 4,289 STI cases. Among primary school girls, 62 were married, and 79 became pregnant. In secondary schools, 215 girls entered into marriage, while 170 fell pregnant.
These alarming figures highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to safeguard young girls from exploitation and health risks.
“Hurungwe’s economy is heavily reliant on tobacco farming,” Takawira explained. “During the selling season, disposable income makes young girls particularly vulnerable. Older men often lure them into unprotected sexual relationships.”
He emphasized the importance of educating adolescent girls about sexual and reproductive health, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed for self-protection. Contributing factors such as child-headed households, parental neglect, and peer pressure further exacerbate the rise in teenage pregnancies.
Charity Choruwa, a Sista 2 Sista mentor from Vhareta Village, echoed these concerns, highlighting the significant role of intergenerational relationships in the spread of STIs.
Charity Choruwa
“Many girls prioritize financial stability over their well-being. When an older man offers financial support, they often accept, especially during the tobacco selling season,” she explained.
This dynamic has led to increased cases of teenage marriages, gender-based violence, and economic exploitation.
Choruwa also pointed out the financial instability that fuels domestic conflicts, as some spouses squander their tobacco earnings and return home empty-handed, leading to further abuse and hardship.
Currently, Hurungwe District has an HIV incidence rate of 0.06 percent, with 3,427 people living with HIV. In response, 16 Sista 2 Sista mentors are actively working to reduce new infections among adolescent girls and young women, particularly those aged 15-24 who are out of school.
The program covers crucial topics such as HIV/AIDS and family planning and has recently expanded to include discussions on non-communicable diseases, drug and substance abuse, and other emerging issues.
As the tobacco selling season progresses, community leaders emphasize the urgent need for robust interventions to protect young girls from exploitation and to promote healthier, safer futures for Hurungwe’s next generation.
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