Bulawayo is coming to terms with a devastating surge in cases of children taking their own lives — a tragedy that has shaken the conscience of the city and the nation at large.
What was once spoken of in hushed tones has now become a loud alarm that we cannot afford to ignore.
Legislators, among them Decent Bajila, have already raised the red flag, warning that this disturbing phenomenon demands urgent and coordinated intervention.
The lives of our children — our future — are at stake.
The drivers of this crisis are complex but deeply rooted in the socio-economic fabric of our society.
Spousal separations and divorces, often triggered by worsening economic hardships, have left many children emotionally stranded and without stable support structures.
Add to this the creeping menace of drug and substance abuse, and we begin to understand why many young lives feel cornered into despair.
It is clear that the government alone cannot resolve this crisis.
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While the State must strengthen its social welfare structures to provide psycho-social support to vulnerable families, this must be complemented by the involvement of other critical pillars of society.
Churches and religious groups must rise to their pastoral responsibility of offering not only spiritual guidance but also practical interventions for families in distress.
Civic organisations need to amplify their role in advocacy, community support, and creating safe spaces for children to express themselves.
Schools should not only impart academic knowledge but also integrate strong counseling and life skills programmes, ensuring that no learner suffers in silence.
Communities and families must rekindle their cultural fabric — our traditional safety nets that once ensured children were protected, guided, and nurtured.
This surge in child suicides is a painful indictment of the cracks in our social systems.
As a nation, we cannot afford to look away. It is time to confront the crisis with courage, compassion, and collaboration.
Our children deserve hope, support, and above all, the assurance that their lives matter.
