GIRL CHILD EMPOWERMENT: PERCEPTIONS OF LOMAGUNDI COLLEGE GIRLS ON THEIR EMPOWERMENT IN ZIMBABWE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of Lomagundi College girl children regarding their views on empowerment, particularly legislation in existence that protects their rights. An explanatory mixed method design that incorporated a qualitative and a quantitative approach was used. The population of the study comprised 39 girls in Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth from Lomagundi College, The School head, Senior Mistress and two Housemothers. There was no sampling done since all the girls in Lower sixth and Upper sixth were used. A questionnaire was administered to the girls while an interview schedule was used to collect data from the caregivers and the School head. The researcher personally administered the questionnaire and conducted the interview sessions. Data collected was coded and analysed using content analysis, tables and graphs. The findings show that despite the many human rights instruments in existence the girl child at Lomagundi College are not aware of any that protects their rights. This shows that the human rights instruments put in place have not been translated into reality and practice to bring out a clear notion of empowerment which the girl child can relate to. It is not the legislation that has empowered the girl children at Lomagundi College to make informed decisions by themselves. Their privileged background has done so but not fully. Challenges face in implementing the legislation in their social, economic, religious and educational aspects of their lives are culture, patriarchy, sexism, lack of opportunities, lack of awareness of the existence of legislation, to name a few. Based on the findings, it was recommended that measures be put in place in order to improve the dissemination of legislation to girls in the country in order for the girls to name them and apply them in their decision-making. This can be achieved through introducing gender sensitive policies in primary and secondary schools to allow girls to be aware of their rights in the home thereby empowering them to make informed decisions.