A better world for rural girls
I attended a presentation by a remarkable young Zimbabwean woman at the US Embassy Harare Public Affairs Section on Tuesday. Nyaradzo Mashayambombe is a gospel artist and founder of Tag a Life International. Having grown up in rural Shurugwi, Nyaradzo witnessed the challenges faced by girls and young women. Their circumstances inspired her to found Tag A Life International in 2010.
Of forming TaLi and her work she says,
“TaLi was borne out the vision of a need to create a safe world where girls can dream as much as boys, and gain access to resources so they can become who they want to be. I began to believe that the empowerment of the girl child couldn’t be complete without the involvement of the communities in which they are socialised. “
In her presentation Nyaradzo stated strongly that men could also play an important role in the lives of girls and young women,
“Our strategies are based on a strong belief that harm should never happen to girls and we cannot remain on the sidelines without taking a proactive stance. This stance involves educating our communities, men and boys, that they have equal responsibility towards their female counterparts. Men ought to play a role in improving a girl’s life. If you are a relative, compliment them; be interested in their talents and education. Make her feel important such that she won’t think that getting it from a man is worth losing her own life.”