Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is here, and as Gokwe Town Council, we’re dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer—an issue that affects many in our community.

What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer occurs when breast cells begin to grow uncontrollably. While it primarily affects women, men can also be diagnosed. Early detection is key, significantly improving treatment success rates.

Why is Screening Important?
1. Early Detection Saves Lives.
Regular screenings can identify breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.

2. Understanding Your Risk.
Screening helps you assess your personal risk factors and manage them effectively.

3. Access to Resources.
Early diagnosis opens up more treatment options, leading to better outcomes.

How to Get Involved?
-If you're 40 or older, or have a family history of breast cancer, discuss screening options with your healthcare provider.
-Learn how to perform monthly self-exams to identify any changes in your breasts.
- Spread the Word

Share this post and talk to friends and family to help raise awareness in our community.

Let’s unite this October to support those affected by breast cancer and emphasize the importance of regular screenings. Your health is our priority!

**Together, We Can Make a Difference!**
#BreastCancerAwareness #GokweTownCouncil #GetScreened #EarlyDetection #CommunitySupport

Strategic Plan Review Workshop

We are excited to share that the Strategic Plan Review Workshop is currently underway. This important event is engaging our dedicated management team, Councillors, and community stakeholders, all under the esteemed guidance of the Public Service Commission, the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, and the Office of the District Development Coordinator.

This workshop serves as a proactive platform for us to assess our current strategies, celebrate our successes, and pinpoint areas for improvement. It represents a unique opportunity to align our vision with the evolving needs of our community, ensuring that our goals remain relevant and impactful.
One of the key highlights of this workshop is its community-centric approach.

We recognize that the voices of our residents are essential in shaping the future of Gokwe. By engaging with the community, we are ensuring that our plans accurately reflect the needs and aspirations of those we serve. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of ownership and enhances the effectiveness of our initiatives.

As we progress through the workshop, we are committed to enhancing accountability within our governance framework. By promoting transparency, we are making our objectives clear and measurable, allowing stakeholders to hold us accountable for our progress. This openness is crucial in building trust and confidence within the community, reinforcing our commitment to effective governance.

In today’s fast-paced environment, the ability to adapt strategically is paramount. The discussions taking place are focused on revisiting and refining our strategies, ensuring that we remain effective and responsive to new challenges and opportunities. This adaptability is key to addressing the dynamic needs of our community while maintaining our long-term focus.

The workshop also emphasizes the importance of collaborative growth. By bringing together various stakeholders, we are strengthening our partnerships and amplifying our collective impact on local development. Collaboration fosters innovation and encourages the sharing of diverse perspectives, enriching our planning process and leading to more comprehensive solutions.

As we move forward, we are focused on achieving several specific outcomes. We are actively working to refine our strategic goals, updating them to ensure they align with the current needs of the community. Performance evaluations are also being conducted to assess the effectiveness of existing strategies and initiatives, identifying both successes and areas for improvement.

Additionally, we are gathering invaluable stakeholder insights to enrich our planning process and promote inclusivity. This feedback is crucial for developing actionable plans with clear timelines and responsibilities, enabling us to implement updated strategies effectively.

We are also prioritizing resource optimization, identifying opportunities for better resource allocation to maximize our impact in service delivery and community projects. A risk management assessment is underway to identify potential challenges and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring we are prepared for any obstacles that may arise.

Moreover, we are working to enhance partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations to support community initiatives and development. Finally, we are creating ongoing engagement strategies to ensure continuous community involvement and communication regarding our plans and progress.

As the workshop continues, we remain committed to serving our community effectively and sustainably.
Together, we are paving the way for a brighter future for Gokwe!

2024 BUDGET REVIEW & 2025 CONSULTATION MEETINGS PROGRAMME
Government Departments
People with disability
Craft, Small grains, CRF markets

GOKWE GENDER BASED VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN


Last week, Gokwe Town Council proudly joined the National 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, rallying together with Council staff, Councillors, Junior Councillors, stakeholders, and residents. United under the theme

"Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls," we marched through the heart of Gokwe Town, sending a powerful message.

As champions of human rights and advocates for marginalized communities, Gokwe Town Council stands resolutely against all forms of violence directed at women and girls. We believe that ending this violence requires relentless, ongoing action—not just a momentary response.

Gender-based violence is one of the most pervasive human rights violations, with alarming statistics revealing that 40% of women aged 15 to 49 in Zimbabwe have suffered physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner, and shockingly, fewer than 40% seek help. The repercussions of such violence are far-reaching, stunting sustainable development and obstructing our journey toward true gender equality. This issue doesn't only affect individuals; it tears apart families, stalls societal progress, and poses a significant threat to economic growth.

Worryingly, adolescent girls are increasingly becoming victims of sexual violence in places that should offer them safety. Both public and private spaces have turned into arenas for physical, psychological, verbal, and sexual abuse, with perpetrators normalizing these horrific acts. Survivors often face secondary victimization and unjust blame, compounding their trauma.

We applaud the Constitutional Court for its landmark decision to raise the age of consent from 16 to 18, a vital step in safeguarding our children from exploitation and abuse. We urge that the Criminal Law Code aligns with Section 81 (1) of the Constitution, which defines a child as anyone under 18 and underscores their right to protection.

Let’s join forces and take action to eliminate violence against women and girls once and for all! Together, we can make a difference

SERVICE DELIVERY SUCCESS

Ward 5 borehole serviced
Chimusoro rank road graveled

Gokwe Town Council Commemorates National Tree Planting Day

Today, Gokwe Town Council proudly participated in the National Tree Planting Day celebrations in Chirumhanzu District, led by Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who represented President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This year's theme, "Trees and forests for ecosystem restoration and improved livelihoods," underscores the government's commitment to environmental sustainability and community welfare.

The event also marked the launch of the Presidential Legacy Forests Programme, which aims to plant 16,230 indigenous, eucalyptus, and various fruit trees across the nation. This initiative is designed to enhance biodiversity, combat climate change, and improve local livelihoods through sustainable forestry practices.

Deputy Council Chairperson Cllr V. Chipfuko represented Gokwe Town Council, emphasizing the critical role of tree planting in fighting deforestation and promoting ecological balance. Such initiatives are vital for protecting Zimbabwe’s natural resources and ensuring the health and prosperity of our communities.

Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to a greener future for Gokwe and beyond.

Gokwe Town Council was established in 2006, and is divided into six wards with semi-arid climatic conditions which usually experiences annual rainfall ranging between 250-500mm. Gokwe has four primary schools and four secondary schools, with a pupil-teacher ratio of 43:1 and 48:1, respectively. It serves 9,189 households with an average household size of 3.6 as per the 2022 population census.

The council anchored the Hub Councils in the Midlands province in 2020. The council has developed a gender policy. Some of the gender mainstreaming activities the council is undertaking include a health club which is responsible for waste management and recycling in the town. The council is now a spoke council in the hub and spoke programme for gender mainstreaming in local government.