GBV shelter in need of help

Fungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau
A large number of women here are seeking refuge at Dambatsoko Safe Shelter due to challenges associated with polygamy and the reluctance by men to fend for their families, assistant matron Ms Kulamusi Muvezwa has said.

Speaking during a National Aids Council media tour recently, Ms Muvezwa said the shelter has been operating with neither electricity nor adequate clean water since inception in January 2017.

“Although the shelter is for women only, we also offer counselling services to men. We have women in the 17 and 42 years age group. We have 16 rooms that can accommodate 32 people, two in each room but sometimes we receive more than that. They don’t stay here for long, three months is the maximum time depending on each case,” said Ms Muvezwa.

“Most of the women come here because their husbands are reluctant to look after the family, polygamous marriages and engaging in extra-marital affairs.

“Assault cases are on the decrease maybe because men are scared of getting arrested.

“When they arrive here we refer them to nearby clinics for HIV tests, cervical cancer, tuberculosis and sexual transmitted diseases screening. We offer them training in different aspects such as manicure and pedicure, sewing, cooking and gardening amongst others.

“Our challenge is that we don’t have electricity and adequate water. We rely on a well, which dries up during summer forcing the mothers to look for water in the village.”

National Aids Council monitoring and evaluation officer Ms Letwin Chanakira said unequal gender relations are a key driver for HIV infections.

“According to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey of 2015 it was noted that Mash Central had the highest incident of gender based violence. One in every three women experienced violence from the age of 15. We noted that there was an increase in GBV from 29,9 percent in 2010 to 34,8 in 2015. It is against this background that Dambatsoko safe shelter was established,” said Ms Chanakira.

“The centre is manned by Musasa Project and was handed over to the provincial gender taskforce.

“As NAC we coordinate the multi-sectoral response to HIV and we noted that unequal gender relations are a key driver for HIV.

“The centre is working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and clients are referred to Howard Hospital which is close to the centre for testing and counselling, VIAC, TB and STI screening.”