World Hepatitis Day: WCOZ Raises Awareness in Mt Darwin

In a proactive effort to commemorate World Hepatitis Day on July 28th, the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ) Mt Darwin Chapter organised a comprehensive training session for its members on July 25th. The event, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, aimed to raise awareness about Hepatitis B, its prevention, and the available government resources to combat the disease.

Mr Manyepwa, representing the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, underscored the event’s significance, urging women to be not only responsive but also proactive in protecting themselves from Hepatitis B.

Mr Garikayi Madade, the acting Nurse in Charge at Mt Darwin Hospital, delved into the intricacies of the disease, highlighting the modes of transmission and the heightened vulnerability of women due to societal factors like drug abuse, unprotected sex, forced child marriages, and the alarming prevalence of rape cases in the region. He emphasized the importance of early screening and vaccination, especially for sexually active individuals or those at risk.

Zimbabwe’s government has demonstrated its commitment to tackling Hepatitis B through various initiatives, including plans to introduce the Hepatitis B vaccine as a birth vaccine. Additionally, the government has unveiled a comprehensive plan for the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B by 2026, aligning with global health strategies.

The training session proved to be a resounding success, with 50 women from both urban and rural Mt Darwin actively participating and sharing their learnings. Sibongile Mutemaringa Chakabva, the Mt Darwin Chapter leader, lauded the women’s enthusiasm and encouraged them to become ambassadors of knowledge by disseminating the information within their communities.

This awareness campaign is a testament to the WCOZ’s unwavering dedication to empowering women and girls in Zimbabwe by equipping them with the knowledge and resources necessary to safeguard their health and well-being. It also underscores the organization’s broader mission to advocate for women’s rights and address various challenges faced by women in Zimbabwe.

About the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ):

Founded in 1999, the WCOZ is a dynamic network of women’s rights activists and organizations tirelessly working to advance the rights and interests of women and girls in Zimbabwe. The coalition’s diverse membership tackles a wide range of issues, including health, education, gender-based violence, economic empowerment, and political participation.

World Hepatitis Day Background:

World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28th to raise global awareness about viral hepatitis, a group of infectious diseases that primarily affect the liver. The day serves as a platform to advocate for prevention, testing, and treatment, and to honour the groundbreaking work of Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed its vaccine.