WUNRN
ZIMBABWE - WOMEN, POVERTY & THE
POLITICS OF 2ND HAND UNDERWEAR
By Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda
It has been a sad week for many people in
In our culture and social life, underpants are the single piece
of cloth that is associated with protecting the dignity of womanhood or
manhood. Now, that cloth is a subject of public discussion because of poverty,
extreme poverty; and some misplaced policy priorities.
While it is in order for government to protect the health of its
citizens; what the country needs at this moment is a REAL revitalisation of the
economy and the stability of the nation.
Citizens, men and women simply want a decent job, a reasonable
income, some possibility to run own projects. They want to raise enough money
to send their children to school; access basic heath care and buy decent, new
and comfortable underwear.
Possibly, this should be a wake up call for the nation to
innovate and be creative, revitalise and recapitalise the textile industry. At
the minimum, we should be a nation that can sew its own underwear! I am
convinced if well done, manufacturing priorities will definitely harness the
needs of those at the receiving end.
Perhaps there is need for those in authority
to revisit the notion of citizenry in tandem with dignity. If anything, the
country should be investing in basic social and economic rights especially in
the restoration of its citizens’ dignity.