adminJoseph Madzimure and Yeukai Tazira
Civic society groups and churches want more effective implementation of laws prohibiting gender-based violence, although commending the Government for coming up with the necessary legislative and policy framework.
The call comes after President Mnangagwa and some members of Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) have joined the rest of the world in recognising the 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign started by activists at the inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and continues to be co-ordinated each year by the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership.
The campaign to end all forms of violence based on gender, runs from November 25 to December 10 every year.
Speaking at the Gender Based Violence workshop organised by Oxfam Zimbabwe and Padare Men’s Forum in Harare last week, Oxfam Global Social Norms advisor Mr Regis Mututu said there is need for the Government to allocate more resources towards reducing GBV.
“As Oxfam and our partner Padare Men Forum, we saw it fit that during the 16 days of activism we invite Members of Parliament to look at the question of gender based violence.
“They are the source of legislative and policy framework and we think we really need to understand what motivates them. For example, the Minister of Women’s Affairs might be interested in GBV from a perspective of women rights,’’ he said.
In addition, Mr Mututu said there is need to engage parliamentarians and church leaders to engage in capacity building so that they give correct information on GBV to their communities.
“In Zimbabwe, we are very fortunate that we have good laws, a good constitution, but where we are lacking is effective implementation of these laws.”
“So the purpose was how we can actually get ideas and how can we be more effective in implementing these laws. We also brought religious leaders from various churches particularly the Moslems. Often, when you go to workshops you hardly see them and as Padare and Oxfam we thought it is best to include them,” he added. He also called for the need to capacitate the police force especially the Victim Friendly Unit so that they effectively investigate cases related to gender based violence.
Padare Men’s Forum chairman Mr Jonah Gokora said they have invited parliamentarians and churches to unpack issues related to gender based violence since they are the influential people in the communities.
“Women play a critical role in sustainable development. When they are educated and healthy, their families, communities and countries benefit. Yet, gender based violence undermines opportunities for women and denies them the ability to fully use their basic rights,’’ said Mr Gokora.
The workshop was attended by Parliamentarians and some different church denominations with an aim to concientise them on the need to reduce gender based violence in the country.
The Istanbul Convention defines gender-based violence as acts resulting in “physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
Gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality and continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter