Paul Nyathi

First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa has made a rather uncomfortable suggestion that single mothers and young girls are turning into prostitution to take care of their families.

In a speech read on her behalf by Zimbabwe Women’s Bank chief executive Dr Mandas Marikanda at an interface meeting with single mothers and girls in Chivhu, the First Lady said these women should do away with prostitution and start the highly labour intensive Pfumvudza crop planting programme.

“I have come here as a follow up after I was informed that most of the women who had turned into social vices to earn a living are willing to shun their acts and start doing projects to feed their families,” she said.

“As women, you should be firm enough to work hard and bring food to the table. Let us embrace the Pfumvudza programme, which is meant to alleviate hunger, especially in rural areas. This will help you secure food at household level.

“I also urge you to embrace small grain farming so that you can secure healthy food for your children.”

“As the patron of Angel of Hope Foundation, I have come with new projects which can help you earn a living. Some of these projects include baking, manufacturing detergents like soap and lotions. I hope you will embrace the knowledge I am giving you and use it to transform your lives,” she said.

The First Lady also discouraged women from terminating pregnancies as it could affect their health.

“For those who were impregnated out of wedlock and got dumped, do not lose hope,” she said.

“Do not ever think of terminating that pregnancy because you might risk having diseases like cervical cancer. There is life after break-ups and as a woman you have to take responsibility of your children by working hard to bring food to the table.”

One of the vulnerable women, Pamela Katsora, narrated her experience as a sex worker and thanked the First Lady for showing concern.

“I got into this profession when I was 16 years old. I thought it was the only solution to life. The experience was painful as I could be beaten or sometimes used for peanuts,” she said.

“I am so excited that Amai has come to our rescue with her projects. We want more of these projects so that we become prominent business women. We will never look back at our painful life again.”

Source: State Media