WOMEN in Bulilima and Mangwe districts, Matabeleland South province, are worried over drug trafficking in the area, saying it is hampering their efforts to fight gender-based violence (GBV) and substance use.
Milikani Federation adviser Buhle Ndlovu told Southern Eye yesterday that drug trafficking is making it difficult to curb alcohol abuse and GBV given their proximity to the Zimbabwe-Botswana border, where drugs are being trafficked from South Africa into Botswana and then find their way into the Matabeleland South districts.
“The border is proving to be a challenge because many people are now partaking in drug trafficking, hence curbing alcohol abuse is now far from possible. There is now chaos, but we never tire from raising alcohol and GBV awareness,” Ndlovu said.
Last year, women in Bulilima and Mangwe districts complained that political campaigns for the August 23 polls had stalled their alcohol abuse and GBV awareness programme.
Milikani Federation president Samaria Nkomo said they would conduct awareness campaigns, despite having been slowed down by the elections.
Last May, the women joined hands to form a self-help group to tackle poverty, GBV, teenage pregnancy and alcohol abuse.
The self help group national co-ordinator Mthokozisi Ndebele said they had implemented similar projects in 13 districts across the country.
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