adminInternational Women’s Day falls on 8 March and the artiste is set to hold a belated show as a way of reminding every woman of her value.
This year’s official theme is “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures,” and is based on the premise that every International Women’s Day event held in 2012 addresses girls’ issues and inspires thousands of young women globally.
Khuxman, however, said this year’s celebrations were to be complemented by a show that would include various artistes with the majority being female artistes who have played a crucial role in the arts sector to the extent of being role models to many.
In an interview, Khuxman said women played an integral role in every being’s life and they deserved to be treated with respect and dignity.
“As the world celebrates this year’s Women’s Month, it is imperative to remind the city of Bulawayo that our women also deserve the same respect and love.
He said he would work with a number of local artistes for a show to celebrate the existence of every woman from mothers, sisters, aunts and grannies.
“The show would be held in a neutral venue probably in the city and many female artistes such as Sandra Ndebele and Chetsi will be in the forefront. Organisations dealing with issues that involve the empowering of women such as Musasa and Women’s Coalition are also set to be part of the celebrations.
“Male artistes will be present to rally behind performing artistes,” he said.
Many women have been taken for granted by some males. Instead of being insulated from abuse by the family institution, many women have actually suffered physical and psychological abuse at the hands of those who should be their loved ones.
Recently child rights activist, Nyaradzo Mashayamombe, called on men to play a more positive and proactive role as both mentors and role models to ensure that Zimbabwe’s girls live in a safe environment free from abuse.
Early this year, a man tortured his young wife with a red-hot iron, stuffed salt and hot curry powder into her privates and proceeded to rape her.
In another case of abuse, a woman was savagely hacked with an axe by her husband. In both cases, the women were being accused of infidelity.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says 95 percent of victims of domestic violence are women and girls while 99 percent of the perpetrators are men.
At least 25 percent of women worldwide have experienced sexual violence, 36 percent physical abuse, 57 percent were emotionally abused and eight percent reported that they experienced violence while pregnant.
It is also said one in three women in Zimbabwe are in an abusive marriage and more than 60 percent of murder cases in the country are linked to domestic violence.
A 2009 joint study by the UNFPA, the International Organisations for Migration and the United Nations Children’s Fund found that women and girls in Zimbabwe are increasingly vulnerable to sexual violence and abuse because of the social and economic instability in the country.
Gender-based violence has become the major cause of death and disability for women aged between 15 and 44 years.
Online Reporter