Delight Nyasha Guma
MUREHWA– A new grassroots campaign to address the often-overlooked challenges faced by boys in Zimbabwe will launch on September 20 at Rudaviro Primary School in Murehwa.
The initiative, themed “What About the Boy Child?”, is being spearheaded by Ntokozo Gudu in collaboration with Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy (YARD), Occupy the Streets, and other partners.
The campaign seeks to bridge the gender support gap in child welfare by shining a light on the struggles boys face, which are often overshadowed by efforts that focus solely on girls.
“We are focusing on educational and social challenges faced by boys, including school dropout risks, drug and substance abuse, and mental health issues,” organiser Ntokozo Gudu said.
“We also aim to support hygiene by providing boys with dignity packs including soap, shaving sticks, shoe polish, and undergarments.”
The campaign follows a successful girls’ initiative held in June and aims to empower boys with knowledge, confidence, and opportunities.
Organisers are collecting donations of school fees, uniforms, textbooks, and hygiene supplies to distribute during the launch.
Gudu said Murehwa was selected due to financial constraints and strong cooperation from Rudaviro Primary School leadership.
“We approached several schools, and Rudaviro’s headmaster responded positively, making it a suitable host,” she said.
Partners will run sessions on mental health, drug abuse, sexual violence, and motivation. Boys will also engage in poetry, drama, and discussions aimed at emotional support and awareness-building.
Organisers plan to expand the programme to other marginalised communities after evaluating the campaign’s impact in Murehwa.
