By Nigel Pfunde
MUTARE – Zanu PF Central Committee member and Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Chairperson for Women Affairs, Community and SME Development, Getrude Mutandi, has reaffirmed her commitment to empowering the girl child through sport as a strategic vehicle for uplifting women’s livelihoods in line with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.
Speaking on Sunday during a football match between her team, Getty Queens and Sheckons Queens FC at Zamba Primary School in Sakubva suburb, Mutandi used the platform to champion girls’ rights, anti-drug abuse campaigns, and economic empowerment.
“Sport is not only a unifying factor but it also helps young girls and women to refrain from immoral activities,” Mutandi said. “I also urge you young women to stay away from drug and substance abuse and to report cases of domestic violence. Don’t be gagged and stay quiet in abusive relationships.”
She received a rousing welcome from scores of residents at the match, as proof that sport serves as a critical tool for steering young women toward productive livelihoods, directly feeding into the national Vision 2030 agenda of achieving an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society.
Mutandi’s initiative through Getty Queens aims to create safe spaces where girls can develop discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills which are essential attributes for economic independence and community transformation.
In response, the young women present applauded Mutandi’s counsel and pledged to take heed of her call to reject drug abuse and break the silence on domestic violence.
