Friday, August 14

Tinashe Mugabe DNA results infringe children’s rights to protection from public harm, exploits and commercialises families’

It should be restricted to resolve family issues privately in line with other regulations on data privacy and protection and safeguarding the best interests of children. The law should ban and criminalise televised or any other public announcements or shows of real-life DNA test results.

 

DNA testing and public announcement / vulnerability, misfortunes, misery and poverty to profiteering businesses as online content. It leaves affected children and families publicly humiliated and contributes to mental health challenges.

 

It also reproduces stereotypical notions that stigmatise women and men, perpetuating technologically facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). Above all, it maligns the integrity of scientific solutions such as DNA testing to real-life family and societal challenges.

 

DNA testing in Zimbabwe: When science meets harmful cultural practices

 

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DNA testing is a scientific method that is used to establish the percentage of a child’s match to their biological bloodline. It is also used in medical and health diagnosis and for legal and forensics purposes, including in the prosecution of cases of sexual and gender-based violencepresent-day Zimbabwe, DNA testing has become a popular phenomenon used particularly for paternal assessment reasons, accounting for 82,07% of DNA testing in a study conducted by Nature Health. The same study states that paternity tests are mostly requested in private laboratories and often in the absence of the mother.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contextualising the high uptake of DNA paternal testing in Zimbabwe needs to be understood within the country’s socio-cultural contexts. Locating paternal contestation within the socio-cultural context shows that it is intricately linked with historical, harmful cultural practices and stereotypes that disproportionately affect women.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This situates the problem in societal practices that not only harm women but also children, men, and families. It draws attention to the urgent need for policy reform to minimise the impact of TFGBV that televised DNA shows have on affected families and society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biological parental contestation is not a new phenomenon in Zimbabwean society. Various harmful patriarchal social norms and practices have historically been established, widely accepted and continue to be practised by many families across classes in present-day Zimbabwe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is despite decades of work by women’s movements to combat harmful cultural practices that undermine gender equality and perpetuate gender-based violence. One of the patriarchal practices directly related to paternal contestation is kupindirwa mumba. This is a practice that promoted step-fathering or step-mothering, knowingly and unknowingly.Kupindirwa mumba was used when couples struggled/delayed having children and was done for kuchengetedza imba. Kuchengetedza imba is a Shona phrase that loosely translates to marriage (union) preservation. To preserve marriages, kupindirwa mumba was promoted by having a few elderly and respected family members to secretly arrange that a brother or nephew of the husband gets sexual with their sister-in-law to help the couple to have a child(ren). If the challenge persisted, the husband was encouraged to marry another wife ‘to give him an heir’.

 

 

Although having children remains a decision for couples, Zimbabwean patriarchal society holds various stereotypical misconceptions about not having children. Couples are often stigmatised, which can lead to the breakdown of unions.

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Credit Repair Services: Improving Your Financial Health and Credit Score

Credit repair services help individuals improve their financial standing by addressing errors on credit reports and developing better financial habits. A strong credit score is essential for securing loans, mortgages, and favorable interest rates.

How Credit Repair Works

The process involves reviewing credit reports, disputing inaccuracies, and negotiating with creditors. Many individuals also benefit from financial counseling to improve spending habits.

Benefits of a Good Credit Score

Higher credit scores lead to better loan approvals, lower interest rates, and increased financial opportunities.

Final Thoughts

Improving your credit is a long-term process, but it provides significant financial benefits.

 

Financial experts recommend working with certified credit counselors and reputable financial service providers for effective credit improvement strategies.

Best Life Insurance Policy for Families: Term vs. Whole Life Explained

Life insurance is one of the most important financial protections a family can consider. If someone depends on your income, life insurance can help provide money for bills, mortgage payments, childcare, education costs, and everyday expenses if you pass away.

The two common types of life insurance are term life and whole life. Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. If the insured person dies during that term, the policy pays a death benefit to the beneficiary. If the term ends and the policy is not renewed, coverage usually expires.

Whole life insurance is permanent coverage designed to last for the insured person’s lifetime, as long as premiums are paid. It also includes a cash value component that may grow over time. Because of this, whole life insurance usually costs more than term life insurance.

For many families, term life insurance is attractive because it can provide a larger amount of coverage at a lower monthly cost. This can be helpful during the years when a family has a mortgage, children at home, car payments, and other major financial responsibilities.

Whole life insurance may appeal to people who want lifetime coverage, estate planning benefits, or a policy with cash value. However, because premiums are higher, it is important to understand whether the extra cost fits your budget and long-term goals.

When choosing a life insurance policy, start by estimating how much coverage your family may need. A common approach is to consider income replacement, debt, funeral costs, future education expenses, and the number of years your family would need financial support.

You should also compare quotes from multiple companies. Life insurance premiums can vary based on age, health, tobacco use, occupation, lifestyle, family medical history, and coverage amount. Buying earlier in life often results in lower premiums because age and health are major pricing factors.

Before applying, review the company’s financial strength and customer service reputation. Life insurance is a long-term product, so you want a provider that is stable and reliable.

The best life insurance policy depends on your family’s needs. Term life may be better for affordable income protection. Whole life may be better for permanent coverage and long-term planning. Some families use both.

Always read the policy details carefully before purchasing. This article is for general education and should not replace advice from a licensed insurance professional.