Chronicle Editor
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
AQUILINE Sadziwa is a name that quickly comes to mind when there is mention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Sadziwa was a 35-year-old woman from Bulawayo’s Morningside suburb in Bulawayo whose life was tragically taken by her estranged partner, Pascal Dube, who stabbed her a shocking 34 times with their baby strapped on her back on the night of 23 April, 2023.
Dube is still on the run, over one year later, a painful reality for the Sadziwa family who still seek closure following Aquiline’s gruesome murder.
Sadly, Aquiline is part of a list that includes Nothabo Ncube, who was killed by her boyfriend, Obvious Sibanda in February this year, on the suspicion that he did not want to take responsibility for her five-month-old pregnancy.
The two worked together at a local fast-food outlet in Bulawayo. Sibanda was arrested and is behind bars where he is serving a life sentence.
Bulawayo businessman, Mandlenkosi Dube strangled his girlfriend Precious Ncube on 23 December, 2023 after a dispute involving money and suspected infidelity before taking his own life on the same day by ramming into a stationary vehicle.
In August last year, 38-year-old Rodney Kawome from Nketa suburb bludgeoned his girlfriend Precious Vundla to death with a golf club and spent the night with her corpse. He was arrested.
The list of women who have lost their lives at the hands of their intimate partners is endless and continues to grow.
However, with the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV commencing tomorrow, it is essential to continue strengthening the message of bringing the violence to an end, highlighting the need for sexual GBV to be addressed adequately.
While other women lose their lives in cases of GBV, some are fortunate to survive but have wounds of trauma from rape ordeals or physical violence from intimate partners and even strangers making the need for timeous interventions to save their lives.
The Government of Zimbabwe and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) partnered with the Zimbabwe Cricket and Adult Rape Clinic to launch the #72Hours Campaign, urging survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) to seek timely and life-saving support within 72 hours.
Sexual and gender-based violence, including rape, remains a pervasive issue in Zimbabwe, with many survivors facing barriers to accessing critical services within the recommended 72 hours — a vital period for the effectiveness of emergency contraception and prophylactic treatments against sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
Currently, fewer than 35 percent of survivors seek support within this time frame, underscoring an urgent need for greater awareness and access.
Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) Director, Ms Maceline Mukwamba stressed the need for survivors of SGBV to report cases timeously.
“I appeal to all of us to join hands in support of survivors of sexual violence, urging us to prioritise health and seek medical attention for them. The health of survivors matters and they do not need to suffer additional health losses from the traumatic experience,” she said.
The ARC’s mandate is to assist people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by sexual violence to assist them to heal, survive, regain their self-confidence, overcome discrimination and manage the long-term medical and psychological consequences of the traumatic consequences.
UNFPA regional director for East and Southern Africa, Ms Lydia Zigomo, highlighted the significance of the campaign.
“About one in four women in Zimbabwe have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. It is disturbing that so many survivors miss the 72-hour window to access critical and essential health services.
“Through the launch of this campaign, UNFPA together with relevant Government ministries and partners, will intensify efforts to reach survivors with information on the benefits of accessing services,” she said.
It has been highlighted that lack of awareness and stigma are key reasons survivors delay accessing services, often missing the critical timeframe to receive medical support and preserve forensic evidence for possible legal action.
The #72Hours Campaign will focus on spreading knowledge about the importance of acting quickly and offer survivors essential information on accessing services.
SGBV has far-reaching consequences with survivors often facing physical injuries, psychological trauma and long-term health complications.
The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora in a speech read on his behalf by Dr Stephen Banda, Acting Chief Director Policy and Planning during the launch of the campaign highlighted some of the effects.
“These can include chronic pain, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, unwanted pregnancies and mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and suicide attempts.
“SGBV is not only a human rights violation but also a public health challenge, which undermines the health and well-being of survivors. It is imperative that we, as healthcare professionals, policymakers and community members, take a proactive stance in responding to and preventing SGBV,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora said, despite the availability of services, it is saddening to note that not all survivors of SGBV access services in time.
“Between January and September 2024, only 32 percent of SGBV survivors who reported to health facilities did so within 72 hours. Low levels of awareness, stigma and the fear associated with SGBV are some of the factors that prevent survivors from seeking the care they desperately need.
“The health sector plays a pivotal role in addressing SGBV. Our response must be multifaceted, encompassing prevention, immediate care and long-term support,” he said.
Dr Mombeshora said the ministry commits to strengthening its health systems to better respond to the needs of survivors.
“We shall continue to push for policies and strategies that protect and empower individuals as we work together to create a world where everyone can live free from violence and fear,” he said.
In an effort to reduce GBV in the country, UNFPA has adopted comprehensive service models from policy advocacy to help survivors receive holistic support working with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development and the Ministry of Health and Child Care and civil society.
One key model adopted to improve timely access to services for survivors is the One Stop Centres (OSCs) where survivors can access services under one roof free of charge and to date, eight OSCs have been established at hospitals in Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Masvingo, Midlands, Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces.
Reporting of GBV in Zimbabwe as a whole has been met with many hurdles as there were too many service providers that an abused person had to go through before they were assisted to report their cases.
The first hurdle was identified as leaving the home where the abuser is also staying; it takes a lot of courage for the women to leave unnoticed to go and report cases to the police.
Sometimes, the women said they were scared to leave the home for fear of being intercepted by their abusers so they take time to report cases.
Another hurdle mentioned by the Victim Friendly Unit of the police is announcing cases of SGBV abuse to their families as this is often met with complications, which may also sweep cases under the carpet.
Financial challenges were also mentioned as some women failed to even reach a police station or a hospital.
The centres come equipped with various vital services that ensure women and girls access all necessary services in one place as opposed to visiting four or five different service providers found in different places.
These facilities have medical doctors, police officers, counselling services and legal services so that a man or woman who has suffered GBV can be assisted under one roof.
The Mpilo Hospital One-Stop Centre, additionally is equipped with a play centre for children where mothers in distress can come with their children. It was launched under the European Union supported Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls.
The 16 days campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December annually. —@NyembeziMu
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter