BULAWAYO, June 3,2026 (Newsday Live)- Stakeholders in the fight against the spread of HIV and Aids have appealed churches, families and community leaders to take a leading role in fighting child abuse, neglect and early marriage.
Speaking during a media tour at Mawaba Primary School in Lobengula West, National AIDS Council (NAC) Bulawayo provincial Manager Sinatra Nyathi said addressing child protection challenges required a collective effort from all sectors of society.
Nyathi said some cultural practices and reluctance by communities to seek medical services were exposing the girl child to sexual abuse.
“This issue is not only about marrying off young girls, but also about cultures where some people do not go to hospitals or enroll for antenatal care,” said Nyathi.
“It cannot only be the responsibility of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. All government ministries, including the Department of Social Development, must work together because they are responsible for child protection.”
She said churches also needed to play a more active role in ending abuse and harmful practices.
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Nyathi called for increased support towards the “Not In My Church” campaign, saying it needed more resources to effectively engage religious institutions.
“These things are happening within our churches and we want to make sure everyone runs with the campaign,” she said.
“We are also saying ‘Not In My Household’ because change must start at family level. If I am a church member and I say not in my household, then I should not allow abuse or harmful practices to happen within my own family.”
Nyathi said NAC was ready to strengthen support towards awareness campaigns targeting churches and communities.
Magwegwe NAC district coordinator Kenneth Ncube said faith-based organisations were already working together through an interfaith forum that monitors activities within religious institutions and promotes child protection awareness.
“We have what is called a faith-based organisation forum made up of leaders from various religious sectors,” said Ncube.
Ncube said the forum meets quarterly and operates under agreed terms of reference aimed at monitoring churches, sensitising congregations and responding to reported misconduct.
“If there are any misdoings coming from churches, they are reported to this forum and action is taken,” he said.
Mawaba Primary School head Nokuthula Sibanda said her school regularly engages parents on child protection issues.
“We try to assist children who are neglected or abused by engaging parents and supporting less privileged learners where possible,” she said.
She said in severe abuse cases, the school sometimes ropes in law enforcement agencies and victim-friendly units to ensure affected children get assistance.