In the community

Steward Bank partners Foundation to end period poverty

Published

4 years ago

August 4, 2021

BY OWN CORRESPONDENT

Zimbabwe’s largest bank by depositors, Steward Bank, has joined forces with Kunashe Foundation to end period poverty in the country by supplying reusable sanitary wear to underprivileged girls.

A recent study by SNV Zimbabwe revealed that 72 percent of menstruating schoolgirls do not use sanitary pads because they cannot afford them resulting in the unhygienic use of rags and cow dung.

This not only affects the girls’ health, but also strips them of confidence and dignity.

Steward Bank’s head of corporate affairs, Nyasha Choga, said the bank decided to chip in after realising that many girls in Zimbabwe are at risk of developing infections and suffering the embarrassment of leakages and discomfort due to lack of clean sanitary wear.

“Hunhu/Ubuntu, as knitted into our model of business, calls for the expression of compassion, reciprocity, and actions that bestow dignity and humanity to the community,” Choga said.

“ We value the privilege of contributing towards the efforts to keep girls in school and equip women to make reusable pads for their families and communities as a means of income generation.”

In support of Kunashe Foundation’s vision to provide information and access to sustainable sanitary wear, Steward Bank responded with $300 000.00 in May 2021 to fund over 1 000 girls in the form of a charitable grant.

Subsequently, the Foundation distributed reusable pads, which can be used for up to three years, to 262 girls in Glenview, Glen Norah, Epworth, Hatcliffe and Highfields and at St David’s children’s home (Nyanga), Shalom Children’s home, Danai Children’s home, St Marcelin’s children’s home and at Chikurubi Maximum Prison.

Kunashe Foundation said the strategic partnership with Steward Bank will go a long way in empowering women and girls across the country in helping them gain access to reproductive health rights and restoring human dignity and confidence.

Period poverty generally forces many girls to miss out on important confidence-building experiences in the classroom or in after-school activities.

Missing out on things like this can limit girls from reaching their full potential during puberty and beyond.

The foundation not only seeks to provide sanitary wear but to also improve the lives of women and girls through the provision of reliable information on women’s health as well as related access to essential products and services.

In line with its objective, the team conducted menstrual hygiene management training at Chisipite Senior School with the Leo Club, where participants were also taught the art of making reusable pads using sewing machines.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in-person training for the bigger groups was not possible. As a solution, easy-to-understand training packs in the form of guide books, pamphlets, e-fliers, and video content were provided in both instances.

In the community

Foot and mouth disease outbreak in Mat North

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NIZBERT MOYO

The provincial Veterinary Department has urged farmers to comply with livestock movement regulations following an outbreak of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in some parts of Matabeleland North.

Acting provincial veterinarian Gwinyai Zhandire confirmed the outbreak to Southern Eye, saying the government has instituted movement controls, vaccination and active surveillance in the affected areas.

“There are some dip tanks affected in the Nyamandlovu area,” Zhandire said.

“The government has instituted movement controls and vaccination, and we are conducting surveillance.

“Farmers are encouraged to observe and comply with livestock movement regulations to prevent further spread.”

He highlighted that the rainy season increases the risk of other livestock diseases.

With tick populations on the rise, farmers should be vigilant against tick-borne illnesses such as Anaplasmosis (Gall Sickness), Theileriosis (January Disease), Ehrlichiosis (Heartwater) and Babesiosis (Redwater).

“Weekly dipping is encouraged to prevent transmission between animals,” Zhandire said.

He emphasised the importance of routine vaccination against other seasonal threats, including anthrax and lumpy skin diseases.

The outbreak has also affected farmers in the Umguza area, who have similarly been directed to adhere to animal movement restrictions.

Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep and goats.

The disease is characterised by fever and the development of painful sores or blisters in the mouth and on the feet, often leading to severe lameness and a drop in productivity.

The virus spreads easily through direct contact between animals, as well as via contaminated equipment, vehicles and feed.

The disease can result in significant economic losses in the livestock industry due to trade restrictions and animal health costs.
Source: Southern Eye

In the community

Brother-in-law jailed for repeated rape of mentally incompetent 16-year-old

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

The Hwange Regional Magistrates’ Court has convicted and sentenced a 41‑year‑old man to 20 years’ imprisonment for the repeated rape of his 16‑year‑old sister‑in‑law, a mentally incompetent juvenile.

The court heard that the victim was staying at the offender’s homestead in Lupane. Between November 2024 and May this year, the offender exploited her mental incapacity and his position of trust to rape her on multiple occasions.

In the first incident, the offender’s sister pushed the victim into a bedroom where the offender was waiting, locked the door, removed the victim’s clothes and raped her. He threatened the victim and ordered her to remain silent when she tried to cry out for help.

The abuse continued on various occasions. In May, a community member discovered the abuse and reported it to the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Lupane.

Medical and psychiatric examinations confirmed the victim’s mental status and the ordeal. The offender and his sister assaulted the victim with a sjambok and a stick and threatened her not to disclose the matter.

In the community

Hwange man sentenced to 40 years for raping two minors

Published

1 week ago

December 1, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A 32-year-old man from Victoria Falls has been convicted by the Hwange Magistrates’ Court and sentenced to 40 years imprisonment for raping two minors.

The man, whose name has been hidden to protect the image of the victims was being tried by the prosecutors on two counts of rape leading to the conviction.

The court heard that the accused committed the offences against two young female juveniles, aged nine 10 years old who are sisters on the 25th of September this year.

“The offender who was at his place of residence called the victims who were going to school to come to his place of residence to collect baobab fruits,” the National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement.

“They both got into the offender’s place of residence and the offender instructed the victims to get into his bedroom hut.

The victims complied and the offender followed them into his bedroom and closed the door from inside and raped them.”

The matter came to light on the same day when a relative informed the victim’s grandmother and father that she saw the victims leaving the offenders bedroom and they revealed what had transpired, leading yo his arrest.