Collective effort, funding needed to eradicate GBV

Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent

THE Government has called on all stakeholders to join forces in combating gender-based violence, warning that failure to address this scourge will jeopardise the country’s development goals.

Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa said this on Wednesday during a stakeholder engagement held in Harare to discuss funding for gender-based violence prevention and response initiatives.

This comes amid reports that nearly 50 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 in the country have experienced either emotional, physical or sexual violence at some point in life.

The funding , Minister Mutsvangwa said should go towards funding and establishing more One-Stop Centres and Safe Shelters which are considered the best GBV response mechanisms around the world.

“It is very unfortunate that in the planning process, issues of sustainability were not adequately addressed which has resulted in operational challenges for the One Stop Centres.

“While we appreciate that resource mobilisation efforts are underway, it is very saddening to note that; currently, development partners’ support towards the running of the One Stop Centres and the Safe Shelters is very limited, compromising the ability of those institutions to maintain a safe and supportive environment, threatening years of progress recorded through these institutions,” she said.

Stakeholders support, Minister Mutsvangwa said , remains crucial in addressing financial gaps and ensuring the effective functioning of these facilities.

“Sustainable funding solutions are therefore critical, equipping these institutions with the necessary resources to provide high-quality support to survivors.

“Needs of those institutions range from stationery, food provisions, hospital equipment and supplies, operational costs, allowances and salaries for GBV specialized services (counselling and legal aid) dedicated staff to provide administrative and security duties as well as continuous training of staff.”