EPWORTH TAKES STANCE AGAINST GBV

Tanaka Mahanya

EPWORTH has taken a stance against gender-based violence through response programmes.

Yesterday, the Epworth Family Support Centre was launched.

It is meant to provide women and girls with a gender-based violence prevention and response programme.

The centre was developed through a partnership between the Government, Japan and Katswe Sistahood.

Women in the region will have access to healthcare, psychosocial support, legal aid and police victim-friendly services.

The centre also includes a skills training centre, an exhibition room and an arts section in a bid to provide empowerment services.

Zimbabwe’s 2015 Demographic and Health Survey demonstrated that one, in every three women aged 15-49, experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

The centre provides a safe space for survivors of violence to access support.

Speaking at the launch, Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister, Sithembiso Nyoni, said two years ago, they opened the Safe Market for Women entrepreneurs and now, the GBV Service Centre.

“With these two infrastructures, I foresee women making greater strides in terms of promoting economic empowerment and business mentorship.

“It has been my dream since we opened the safe market that we should have another structure that provides women with a workspace.

“Products coming from there will then be sold at the market,” she said.

Speaking at the same occasion, Japan Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Satoshi Tanaka, said many women involved in informal trading were often accompanied by their children, hence the need for a safe haven at the market.

“There is often inadequate safety and hygiene for them at the market, and they often become victims of theft or GBV.

“I hope that the new centre will allow women and girls to feel safe at the market, as well as providing them with all the necessary SRHR services.”

Katswe director, Talent Jumo, said the centre is a one-stop centre and incubation hub.

“This will provide a safe space for survivors of violence to access support,” she said.