Rural women screened for cervical cancer
WOMEN’S Action Group (WAG) has partnered Government in rolling out cervical cancer screening in rural parts of the country.
Addressing hundreds of women and Government officials who gathered for a community health day held at Sabi Valley Primary School last week, WAG director Mrs Edinah Masiyiwa (pictured) said her organisation would continue investing in female sexual health.
The organisation said it had so far screened hundreds of women in most marginalised areas of the country in joint programmes with development partners.
“Cervical cancer is one of the biggest killer diseases in the world and we are rolling out campaigns for rural women to visit health centres for screening,” said Mrs Masiyiwa.
“Many women are reluctant to go for cancer screening, but statistics show that thousands are diagonised for cervical cancer ever year in Zimbabwe.
“We are working with community health advocates in every ward of Chipinge to mobilise women who have since formed health clubs that are always in touch with communities.
“The celebrations were coordinated by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises and ran under the theme ‘Promoting adolescents and young women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights’.”
Mrs Masiyiwa said Chipinge is one of the districts where they were screening cervical cancer for free and carrying out campaigns urging women to visit health centres for screening.
She said that their goal was also to create a conducive environment for women.
“With support from Swedish development partner, IM, our overall goal is to create an enabling environment for young women and adolescents to fully enjoy a life of dignity, enjoy their rights and utilise potential in accessing sexual and reproductive health and rights services and economic opportunities,” she said.
Guest of honour, Manicaland provincial nursing officer Mr Venus Nyanyiwa, who was represented by Chipinge district community health administrator Mr Reginald Kanyoka, praised non-governmental organisations for complementing Government efforts by supporting women’s sexual and reproductive health.
“We thank development partners for complementing our ministry in promoting informed health-seeking behaviour among women and adolescents and empowering them to play a leading role in health issues,” he said.
“We also thank all partners because their programmes are important, as they give value to community members living in hard-to-reach rural areas. These communities have been given a choice to effectively engage and demand sexual and reproductive health rights without fear and discrimination.”