{"id":939,"date":"2026-09-29T19:41:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T19:41:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/?p=939"},"modified":"2026-09-29T19:41:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T19:41:19","slug":"usipoziba-ufa-utajenga-ukuta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/2026\/09\/29\/usipoziba-ufa-utajenga-ukuta\/","title":{"rendered":"Usipoziba Ufa, Utajenga Ukuta"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Esikulu Stakeholders Unite to Strengthen Protection of Children<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Esikulu, Bukhayo West | 29 September 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n
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As schools prepare to close for the long holiday, stakeholders in Esikulu Primary and Junior secondary school came together on 29 September 2026 for a timely conversation on the Triple Threat of HIV, teenage pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and the responsibility of adults to protect children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Convened with participation from parents, the school administration, faith leaders, local development partners, community actors, the Sub-County Children Officer and Baridi Kwa Baridi Women CBO, the engagement came at a critical moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children will soon be spending more time at home and within the community. For stakeholders, this was therefore not a time to wait for harm to occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a time to act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prevention starts before the crisis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The discussions recognised that protecting children cannot be left to schools, parents, churches, government or community organisations alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a collective responsibility.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholders called for stronger parental involvement, open communication with children and renewed community ownership of child protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents were encouraged not to fear difficult conversations with their children. Instead, they were urged to create homes where children can ask questions, discuss relationships, talk about sexuality and disclose concerns without fear of punishment or shame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cTahadhari kabla ya hatari\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

That message became central to the engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents were challenged to reclaim their role<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important issues raised was the changing relationship between parents and their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents acknowledged that some have lost control or become increasingly distant from their children’s lives, with parenting responsibilities sometimes being delegated to relatives, grandparents or other caregivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholders stressed that while extended family and community support remain important, parents cannot completely outsource their responsibility to know, guide and protect their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents were encouraged to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Where their children are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Who their friends are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– What they are doing online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– What they are watching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Who they interact with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– When they leave and return home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– What concerns they may be carrying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The call was simple: be present, be approachable and be a parent before a crisis forces you to become one.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children learn from what they see<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The engagement also challenged parents to examine their own behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are we modelling the values we expect from our children?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholders emphasised that children often learn through observation. Parents were therefore encouraged to avoid conflicts in front of their children, demonstrate respectful relationships and speak with one voice when disciplining and guiding them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The message was not about perfect parenting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was about intentional parenting.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As children grow up in a rapidly changing environment, parents were encouraged to adapt their parenting approaches rather than relying entirely on the methods used when they themselves were growing up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The phone is not the enemy but parenting must evolve<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technology was another major concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents raised the issue of children having access to mobile phones and using them to communicate with romantic partners or strangers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, stakeholders acknowledged that phones have both advantages and disadvantages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The challenge, therefore, is not simply taking away technology. It is helping parents understand the digital world their children inhabit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents were encouraged to talk to their children about online relationships, validation, inappropriate content and digital safety even when they are not as technologically familiar as their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If parents do not enter the digital spaces their children occupy, someone else will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community responsibility must return<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholders also discussed community environments that can expose children to risk, including late-night activities, market days, children being sent to shops or businesses at late hours, entertainment spaces and unsupervised sporting activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns were raised around activities such as disco matanga and children spending time in clubs or other adult spaces, particularly where adequate safeguards are absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rainy season also makes late school dismissal and movement home a greater concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholders called for stronger collaboration between parents, schools, local administration, community structures and other actors to identify and address these risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The principle was clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cNichungie, nikuchungie.\u201d -I watch over your child, and you watch over mine.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

That is the community ownership needed to create safer environments for children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping children safe requires attention to everyday needs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussion also went beyond the Triple Threat itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents were encouraged to pay attention to basic needs that can sometimes be overlooked like proper school uniforms, adequate nutrition, birth registration documents and the general wellbeing of their children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholders cautioned parents against assuming that everything is fine simply because a child suddenly has new clothes, a new phone or other possessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask questions. Know where things come from. Know what your child is experiencing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents were also encouraged to avoid favouritism and to treat all children within the family with equal care, guidance and protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health consequences cannot be ignored<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Brian Kwena of Esikulu Dispensary spoke about the health consequences of teenage pregnancy and unsafe abortion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He emphasised that pregnancy during adolescence can expose young girls to serious health risks and can interrupt their education and alter the trajectory of their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussion also highlighted the dangers associated with unsafe abortion, including severe bleeding and potentially fatal complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The broader message was that prevention and timely access to appropriate health information and services are critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholders also discussed concerns around adolescents accessing family planning services and the importance of ensuring that adolescents receive appropriate, accurate and age-sensitive health guidance rather than being left to navigate difficult issues alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education remains a shared investment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another concern raised was the pressure created by consumer needs and access to mobile phones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some children reportedly acquire phones through M-KOPA arrangements, creating financial obligations that can contribute to school disengagement when children begin looking for ways to meet those payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stakeholders called on parents, schools and community actors to recognise these pressures early and intervene before they contribute to dropout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With 100% transition, schools are also bringing together children of different ages and backgrounds, making supervision, guidance and child protection increasingly important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Birth registration and documentation matter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The engagement also provided an opportunity to remind parents about the importance of children’s documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parents were encouraged to pursue birth certificate by liaising with the school to write a letter stating the child’s name as indicated in their enrollment and date of birth as well as baptism card and photocopy of the applicant. With this in place it is easier for a child to get a birth certificate which is needed for KEMIS registration and access to other essential services and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith and community leadership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Faith leaders, including representatives from the Sponsor Catholic Church and Zion Temple, reinforced the responsibility of parents to become role models and leaders within their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture was used to emphasis parental responsibility and respect within the family, including references to Ephesians 6:1-4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The engagement also encouraged the continuation of Child Rights Clubs, recognising the role they can play in creating spaces where children learn about their rights, responsibilities and avenues for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the holiday begins, the work begins at home<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the school term comes to an end, the responsibility for children’s safety does not end at the school gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, it becomes even more important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The long holiday will give children more time at home and in the community. Parents and caregivers were therefore urged to step forward not simply as providers, but as protectors, mentors, listeners and role models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Esikulu engagement ended with a shared understanding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Tusingoje. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tahadhari kabla ya hatari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kinga ni bora kuliko tiba.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

At Baridi Kwa Baridi Women CBO, the work continues <\/p>\n\n\n\n

strengthening families, amplifying community responsibility and creating conversations that help prevent the Triple Threat before it becomes a crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Esikulu Stakeholders Unite to Strengthen Protection of Children Esikulu, Bukhayo West | 29 September 2026 As schools prepare to close for the long holiday, stakeholders in Esikulu Primary and Junior secondary school came together on 29 September 2026 for a timely conversation on the Triple Threat of HIV, teenage pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":940,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"saved_in_kubio":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=939"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/939\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":946,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/939\/revisions\/946"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baridiwomen.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}