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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has applauded traditional leaders for their contribution towards the promulgation of the recently enacted Marriages Act which seeks to end violence against women and girls, among other harmful practices.
Speaking during the traditional chiefs’ conference on ending violence against women and girls and other harmful practices in Manicaland at a local hotel on Tuesday, Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister, Honourable Marian Chombo said the Act is a flagship law that has revolutionised the marriage institution by putting women and men on par.
“My heartfelt gratitude goes to our esteemed traditional leaders for their leadership and contributions to the country’s policies and laws.
“Now parties to a marriage have equal rights upon death or divorce no matter what style of marriage they are in. Simply put, this new law guarantees equal property and estate rights for previously disadvantaged and disenfranchised women often termed as ‘small houses’.
“This could not have happened had our traditional leaders not taken part and contributed in the promulgation of this law.
“Government appreciates traditional leaders who are ensuring gender equality and ending harmful practices against women within their respective areas of jurisdiction.
“Enabled by the Customary Law and Local Courts Act, traditional leaders adjudicate various cases relating to gender based violence, forced and child marriages, incestuous relationships and other abhorrent cultural practises such as female genital mutilation. To ensure deterrent measures, traditional leaders enforce punitive fines and punishment,” she said.
Deputy Minister Chombo also said Government is happy after being able to establish frameworks that allows traditional leaders to govern and promote gender equality, as well as end child marriages and other harmful social and cultural practices that lead to gender based violence.
She went on to applaud United Nations Women for its efforts in curbing gender based violence.
Speaking at the same occasion, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokhuthula Matsikenyere said the fight against child marriages and violence against women and girls is in line with the country’s Vision 2030.
In an interview, Manicaland Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council chairperson, Chief Makumbe said the symposium’s main aim was to develop a traditional leaders’ framework and provincial structure on how to address violence against women and girls.
“We are here to identify opportunities to strengthen traditional leaders’ efforts on violence against women and girls and other harmful practises,” he said.
Chief Makumbe said the meeting gave traditional leaders the opportunity to deliberate and agree on a standard approach in dealing with gender-based violence.
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