The Sunday Mail
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke
Manicaland Bureau
Women usually bear the burden of diseases and should, therefore, have the necessary knowledge to protect themselves, their families and communities, Zanu PF Women’s League secretary for administration, Cde Monica Mutsvangwa, has said.
The Manicaland Women’s League chapter has since embarked on a drive to sensitise its members on the Covid-19 pandemic, including encouraging the production of face masks at ward level in order to curtail the spread of the virus.
On Friday, five meetings were held in Mutare South, where experienced members who could help start the production of face masks were identified.
Cde Mutsvangwa, who is also the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, said President Mnangagwa is prioritising human lives as he also tries to keep the economy afloat.
“President Mnangagwa has tried to strike a balance between saving the economy and saving the lives of the people, but he prioritised lives because the economy can be revived while people cannot. He is making frantic efforts to make sure that we do not continue to lose lives,” she said.
“As women, we bear the burden of this disease because we are the ones taking care of the family. Let us show that we are the heart and soul of the party during this Covid-19 period. Even if it means moving door-to-door teaching everyone, we will do that.”
She said the pandemic had ushered in a new way of life which everyone should adopt to save lives.
Returning citizens, including those who test positive, were being sent home after quarantine, Cde Mutsvangwa added, and it was up to all women in such situations to continue caring for patients while protecting themselves and the rest of the family.
“Our children are coming back from all around the world and after quarantine, they are coming home.
“This disease can spread very fast; that is why we are saying let us maintain social distancing and wear face masks all the time, even as you take care of your relative.
“You are safeguarding your life, that of your family and those surrounding you. This disease is real, we do not want to lose any more lives. It needs us to change the way we do things, the way we behave,” she said.
While reiterating the Women’s League commitment to continue mobilising materials for face masks, Cde Mutsvangwa also encouraged women to embark on income-generating projects that will sustain their families during the Covid-19 period.
Government was aware that there were people who needed to travel to Mutare and other towns to access health services and had, therefore, made provisions for Zupco buses, she said.
Inter-city routes, she added, would remain closed for now due to the increase in Covid-19 cases.
Zanu PF Manicaland Women’s League chairperson Cde Happiness Nyakuedzwa said the meetings would be cascaded to all districts as it is was important for those at grassroots to understand about Covid-19 and its impact.
“We also want to start producing face masks at ward level. The ones being produced at national level will not be enough for everyone, so we have identified women who have the expertise to start production in the wards as soon as possible.”
She said the Women’s League had received support from traditional leaders who would assist in disseminating information on the pandemic in their areas.
“We realised that social distancing has not been practiced a lot here, so we want to make sure they understand it and they can go back and become ambassadors . . . Manicaland now has 38 cases and we feel we need to educate everyone so that the numbers do not continue to increase,” said Cde Nyakuedzwa.
