Zimbabwe: Fadzai B.R.Merka

Living in the rural areas is regarded as backward especially for the girl child because they are said not to know anything. We are not exposed to many things compared to children in cities but given a chance we can bring a change. It has always been in my mind that there is nothing I can do because I live in a growth point but becoming a Junior Councillor and having a chance to work with Gender links changed my mindset.

I have worked with Gender Links twice ,physically it was in 2020 at a child marriage campaign in ward nine (9)  St Pauls of Zhombe Constituency and many more times during online meetings on whatsApp and zoom due to the covid 19 pandemic .Gender links has made me to be proud of being a girl child through working with them. I have managed to set my principles and goals to achieve which is education first .It has made me feel valued and it gave me an  opportunity to participate in decision making because it is my right. I can now stand in front people of without fear .My teachers and family can also testify to the change that has been given to me by Gender Links especially at school when leading an assembly procedure

Many other children especially the girl child also wants to follow my footsteps of being junior councillors which is a good thing because it shows l am leading by example.  They also want to experience how it feels working with Gender Links but due to the lockdown and closure of schools it was impossible but they still have hope.  However from what I have learnt from Gender Links, I always encourage children to be focused with school so that they may be independent in the future.  Education is the key to success and it is the only weapon which can emancipate women and young girls.  It has always been my wish to introduce projects which benefits the society such as Vaseline production and reusable pad making the community and in schools at large with the help of Gender Links. However Covid 19 pandemic came in the way and l could not implement the project, my learning journey with Gender links was also disturbed and it is now done online which is not accessible to everyone who wishes to work with them.

In conclusion, it is my wish that Gender links find suitable and accessible ways to continue with their good work especially to those in the rural area. However l applauded Gender Links for always supporting the children's views by encouraging them to do well through campaigns against the bad habits such as drug abuse and child marriages. Gender links should guide and support children always because tomorrow's future is in the hands of today’s generation.