GBV: Are the 4Ps the solution?

hall and was given condoms for use as a contraceptive and HIV preventive measure.
When she tried to sell the idea, which she thought was brilliant, from what she had learnt that day, Mary received a thorough bashing from her husband who accused her of infidelity.
“Trying to explain that the condoms were indeed distributed at a workshop did not prevent him from beating me.
“He would refuse to go with me to these important meetings conducted by health officials as he chose to drink beer.
“He was furious and it became an issue on why I had them, saying the health officers wanted to lure us into prostitution,” she said.
Mary is one of the many women who believe that the failure by men to attend such meetings has resulted in domestic violence cases.
These are some of the issues that will be tackled as the country joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which kicked off on November 25.
The country’s theme this year is “From peace in the home to peace in our nation, let’s challenge all forms of gender-based violence”.
To push this, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development launched the 4Ps campaign on zero tolerance on domestic violence at the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Violence in Bulawayo last week.
The four Ps are prevention, protection, partnerships and programming.
Are the 4Ps the solution to manage gender- based violence? What role should society play to pull the plug on GBV?
Director for Gender in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Ms Caroline Matizha says within the past months, there has been an increase in reported incidences of gruesome cases of domestic violence.
She said statistics provided by the Victim Friendly Unit (Harare) show that in 2010, they received three domestic violence murder cases for the year in Harare yet from January to March 2011 alone, already five domestic violence murder cases had been reported.
She revealed that in spite of having the Domestic Violence Act, the piece of legislation has not been effectively implemented to protect women, men, boys and girls due to ignorance of the provisions of the Act by the general populace.
“It is extremely difficult for many Zimbabwean women or families to disclose the existence of abuse. The culture of silence must totally be removed to enable survivors to start seeking help in time to save their lives.
“Domestic violence is a public not a private issue that needs attention. It is against this background that our ministry is embarking on a 4Ps campaign on zero tolerance to domestic violence,” she said.
She explained that the campaign seeks to popularise the Domestic Violence Act, break the silence around DV and encourage community members to begin to question the legitimacy of using violence in relationships and families as a problem-solving measure.
Ms Matizha said: “This campaign will promote the 4Ps concept which focuses on prevention, protection, programmes and participation.”
l Prevention includes economic empowerment especially of women, youths and communities, knowledge and use of the DV Act and other laws, planning for the future (wills and inheritance) and going for counselling before a situation gets worse among others.
l Protection emphasises on the knowledge and use of the DV Act, speaking out if experiencing or witnessing DV, approaching traditional healers for reprieve through their courts and the use of family mediation structures, community based and professional and spiritual counsellors. The knowledge and use of the victim friendly units and the police stations, shelters and organisations, one-stop centres and Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development officials for information and protection, and the application of a protection order through the magistrates’ courts.
l Programmes emphasise on families or workmates holding daily or weekly dialogues on aspects of DV, schools performing plays, debates, essay competitions, church club discussions and workshops among many others.
l Participation involves taking action and doing something about DV by phoning relevant authorities and organisations for help and rehabilitation.
She added that a well planned, creatively delivered and adequately resourced campaign would have a significant impact as demonstrated by the reduction in the HIV prevalence rate.
“Any strategy to end DV will have to deal with eliminating those economic and social causes that support and condone it.
“The campaign on zero tolerance to domestic violence seeks to inform communities about the physical pain and psychological stress violence unleashes upon individuals.
“It also warns communities of the long- term damage violence does to the intimate family relations. It also sensitises communities about how the victims of violence learn violent behaviour and become part of the violent cycle that damages the peace of the whole community. The campaign will also give information that empowers people for action,” she said.
Social Protection and Community Development Consultant Mr Msekiwa Makwanya said the 4Ps campaign is a welcome development as gender-based violence is about power and control used in a negative way.
“The key to end gender-based violence is social change, particularly change of attitudes on the part of both the perpetrators who are usually males and the victims who usually females.
“In cases where children witness gender based violence, there is also a serious risk of emotional and even physical harm to the children.
“Social workers are meant to be social change agents and they do this in partnership with other stakeholders such the police who should arrest perpetrators, health professionals who treat the victims and voluntary organisations who advocate an end to gender-based violence as well as community leaders who should provide the leadership to end gender based violence.
“You can have as many laws against gender-based violence as there are perpetrators and victims but unless there is a change of attitudes towards gender-based violence the problem will continue,” he said.
He added that perpetrators will continue to justify their behaviour and the victims will internalise it and blame themselves.
Council of Social Workers chairperson Mr Phillip Bhowasi says by adopting the 4Ps, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development is trying to present a strong message to society and allow the civil society to participate.
“When you talk of the 4Ps, you are throwing themes and terminologies familiar with non-governmental organisations who work with many people. The message will come out stronger as there will be protection of victims, prevention of many things that fuel domestic violence.
“Men who are usually the perpetrators of domestic violence should take a lead in fighting it,” said Mr Bhowasi.
He added that social workers should play a critical role in the fight against gender-based violence by mitigating when society and individuals fail to match.
“The concept is that society and individuals should match allowing individuals to exercise basic rights and enjoy life.
“When there is a mismatch between individuals, society and their community, the social worker has to come in,” he said.
He explained that the involvement of the social worker comes in all aspects when individuals, the police and the community inform them of incidences of domestic violence.
“In some cases, social workers work with organisations like Musasa Project,” he added.
Mr Bhowasi said challenges stem from the fact that domestic violence is imbedded in the structure of society and women and children become victims.
He added that because of the economic status, the home has become the men’s castle.
“As the situation gets tougher men become harsher because of the economic pressure and vent their anger on women who are the weaker sex,” he said.
In his message, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said:
Violence against women and girls takes many forms and is widespread throughout the globe.
He added that the right of women and girls to live free of violence is inalienable and fundamental.
“It is enshrined in international human rights and humanitarian law. And it lies at the heart of my ‘UNiTE to End Violence against Women’ campaign. “Since its launch in 2008, the campaign has galvanised governments, civil society, the corporate sector, athletes, artists, women, men and young people around the world.
“The social mobilisation platform “Say NO – UNiTE” has recorded more than two million activities worldwide – from protest marches to public awareness campaigns, from legislative advocacy to help for victims,” he revealed.
He added that many of these activities have received support from the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women.
“Since it was founded 15 years ago, the Fund has delivered grants worth US$77 million to 339 initiatives in 126 countries and territories.
“We would like the fund to be able to do even more, but demand for support continues to outstrip resources.
“This year alone, the Fund has received more than 2 500 applications requesting nearly US$1,2 billion. I appeal to all our partners to help us meet this vast unmet need,” he said.
Mr Ban added that the major challenge is to ensure that the message of “zero tolerance” is heard far and wide.
“To do that, we must engage all of society – and especially young people. In particular, young men and boys must be encouraged to become the advocates we need.
“We need to promote healthy models of masculinity. Too many young men still grow up surrounded by outmoded male stereotypes.
“By talking to friends and peers about violence against women and girls, and by taking action to end it, they can help break the ingrained behaviour of generations.
Women for Peace in partnership with Zimbabwe Young Women Network on Monday joined the world in commemorating 16 days of activism as part of the global campaign against gender-based violence.
Women for Peace livelihood facilitator Mr Joao Zangaroti said their organisation was playing a significant role towards the eradication of gender-based violence.
“Peace begins at home and spread out to the world. Domestic violence has become a topical issue even through outreach pro
grammes and campaigns, people still have conflicts in their homes, workplaces and in the community,” said Zangaroti.
He said during the 16 days, they will be working towards ending gender-based violence, focusing mainly on women and children with the hope of changing societal beliefs and attitudes.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) said the abuse of women in many sectors continues to increase despite Zimbabwe being a signatory to a number of regional and international instruments like the Beijing Platform and Action and CEDAW that seek to redress such imbalances and injustices.
“For ZimRights, the greatest concern is on a number of abuses in marginalised communities that go unreported. Cases in point are the situations discovered in the farming and informal mining communities of Hurungwe, Madziva, Shamva and Kasimure respectively.
“During many of our activities, it has come to our attention that the lives of women ion the aforesaid communities solely depends on their husbands.
“Most of the women are simply housewives and do not have a source of earning income.
“They do not own any means of production and detailed investigations unearthed that Government has turned a blind eye in terms of solving their plight. They cannot even afford to buy sanitary wear and such a system has resulted in continued harassment and degrades them to second class citizens,” said ZimRights.
ZimRights said to try and address this situation, they would conduct workshops and community meetings in the mining and farming communities to discourage gender-based violence during the 16 days and issue a petition to relevant authorities during the International Human Rights Day commemorations.
ZimRights added that this year’s theme encourages the fostering of peace from family level to the community and then national level.
The Women’s Action Group said violence against women in the home has gone further to violence against women in the community and the nation.
Said WAG: “We will continue working with women, educating them on sexual and reproductive health rights, HIV and gender-based violence. WAG also works with men, traditional leaders and community members in addressing gender based violence.”
It is therefore important for all stakeholders to play their role in the fight against gender based violence.