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Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
FOOD insecurity has been identified as one of the major causes of domestic violence with an estimated 35 percent of women across the world having experienced physical and sexual violence, a study has revealed.
The Journal of Global Health (JGH) recently released a report with revelations that an estimated 35 percent of women across the world have experienced physical and sexual violence, as a result of food insecurity.
“Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has been recognised as an international public health and human rights issue but it’s also a key driver of extreme poverty. An estimated 35 percent of men and women worldwide have experienced either physical or sexual violence, as a result of food insecurity. Just as empowering women can help eliminate hunger, food scarcity also leads to increased gender-based violence,” reads part of the study.
“According to a 2013 Zimbabwean survey, 61 percent of women and girls said they have experienced sexual violence while 64 percent have experienced physical violence, and the ongoing food crisis is expected to worsen the situation.”
JGH also noted that due to food insecurity women and girls were faced with early and forced marriages, as some families sought lobola payments to try to reduce their food bill.
“Women may have to sell sex to survive, and money shortages increase tensions within families, which can lead to violence. Though Zimbabwe’s new Marriage Act increases the legal minimum age for marriage to 18, that’s not always what happens in practice,” read the statement.
JGH went on to applaud the Government, as well as non-government organisations for their concerted efforts to fight hunger and GBV cases.
“The great concern the Government and other organisations have shown in fighting hunger in the country is commendable. Most homes are food insecure and this could lead to a catastrophe in terms of GBV. This is not just in Zimbabwe but in other regions that are also experiencing a drought. Millions of people have been plunged into severe hunger and it is of great concern globally,” concluded the statement.
Last week the World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it was expanding its emergency operation in Zimbabwe with plans to assist more than four million people deemed food insecure by next month, amid revelations that drought has plunged more than seven million people into severe hunger.
The emergency operation seeks to complement Government’s efforts with WFP noting that it will double the number of people it is helping to 4,1 million by providing life-saving rations of cereal, pulses and vegetable oil and a protective nutrition ration for children less than five years of age as it scales up efforts to avert further starvation in the country.
Zimbabwe recently joined the world in commemorating 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. —@peterkmatika
Online Reporter