‘GBV cases still prevalent’

Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
Cases of gender-based violence are still high in Manicaland, prompting for calls of an all stakeholders approach in addressing the issue. This was said by Padare Men’s Forum programmes officer, Mr Ziphongezipho Ndebele, during a stakeholders meeting held in Rusape recently. The organisation has stepped up its programmes in Makoni, Buhera and Nyanga districts.

Mr Ndebele said although resources were being channelled towards gender programmes, men who constituted the huge percentage of gender and domestic violence perpetrators, had been sidelined, hence the failure to decrease the phenomenon.

“In Manicaland Province, cases of domestic and gender- based violence are still very high,” he said.

“This is worrying, considering the amount of resources being allocated to fight this problem. Cases such as sexual, physical and emotional abuse are still prevalent.

“Of course, most victims of gender-based violence are women and perpetrators are men and for us to become a gender- based violent free country, we need to take men and boys on board.

“Men and boys must be included in all our programmes because if we continue to sideline them then we will not achieve our intended goals.

“In Manicaland, Padare will be rolling out its activities in Makoni, Buhera and Nyanga districts. We will be working with community leaders and all the stakeholders so that we achieve our set goals of reducing gender-based violence. Men and boys must adopt a non-violent way of solving disputes.”

Mr Ndebele added: “We will also lobby for the increased and effective implementation of the Gender Based Violence Act. The Act is there to make sure that no one is abused, but the implementation part is lacking.”

Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Affairs representative, Mr Hillary Mandipaza, said his ministry was making significant inroads in addressing gender and domestic violence.

He said it was plausible that most men were now coming on board on issues to do with gender- based violence.

“As the ministry, we are doing our best to address the issue of domestic violence and we are happy with the outcomes on the ground,” said Mr Mandipaza.

“Our intervention has helped to change a lot, but we still need to do more as challenges arise daily.

“We are glad that our efforts are being complemented by other development partners such as Padare.”