Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in Zimbabwe is set to launch campaigns in churches and schools that are aimed at empowering young females.

YWCA is a Christian organization that aims to enhance the intellectual, moral, social and spiritual interest of young women.

Speaking in an interview, Fadzai Chirombe, a YWCA representative from Kwekwe, said as young Christian females they are going to play an important role in empowering young females.

“As young female Christians we will play a vital role in the communities in empowering fellow female youths through teaching them to abstain from sexual activities and help them in spiritual upbringing.”

She said many children have been infected with HIV and AIDS and some are abused, so they want to raise awareness and “we believe as Christians we are going to be welcomed in churches and schools.”

She added that females are important in society hence they need to be protected from whatever injustice and fight for their rights.

The four day workshop was held under the theme “Mobilising and investing in young people’s leadership on sexual and reproductive health rights and HIV and AIDS”.

Preachers who took it to the podium gave word from the book of 2Corinthians2:2-3 and 1Timothy 4:12.

An official from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, who wish not to be named, said the numbers of young women and girls abused are increasing as each day goes by.

“The statistics of young women being abused are grim, with more than 900 women abused last year. I hope this workshop will help YWCA representatives to go out there and save the young women,” he said.

He said churches should be used as a platform to educate not only young females but all youths in general about HIV and AIDS.

A local secondary school headmaster who declined to be named said: “We welcome the idea because it will help to develop and strengthen the faith of young children. In most schools religious subjects such as bible knowledge have been long dropped, therefore, the campaigns will help children to understand and religious and health matters.”

Each city and town was represented by two people.