dyton mupawaenda
Ivan Zhakata-Herald Correspondent
Addressing gender-based violence is high on the Government agenda with a strong legal and policy framework in place as part of broad-based strategies to deal with the scourge, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa said yesterday.
Speaking at the launch of the national strategy to prevent and address GBV in Harare yesterday, Minister Mutsvangwa said they were going the extra mile after President Mnangagwa launched a high level political compact on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices in October 2021, which was a recommitment towards ending gender-based violence in the country.
She said Government’s anti-gender-based violence strategy was a tool that would also serve to implement the commitment they made as a country.
“Our Constitution provides us with a solid point of reference in terms of advancing gender equality and elimination of gender-based violence and one of its founding principles is gender equality,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
“In the same vein, the National Development Strategy 1 recognises gender mainstreaming in all sectors of the economy as an essential tool to eliminate all negative economic, social and harmful practices that impede equality of the sexes.
“This is key to achieving our vision 2030 of an upper middle-income economy. Government has put in place legal and policy frameworks backed by institutional mechanisms that are working towards gender based violence prevention and response. Laws such as the Domestic Violence Act continue to work for the protection of all victims of domestic violence.”
Minister Mutsvangwa said the Government activated the institutional machinery through the establishment of a robust multi-sectoral gender mechanism, spearheaded by her ministry.
Key institutions such as the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, the Anti Domestic Violence Council and other bodies and structures promoting gender equality were critical.
“We are all aware that Zimbabwe is rich in culture and traditions that are important for our daily lives with traditional leaders as custodians. Similarly, our democratic system has given space to citizens to affiliate with religious groupings of their choice,” she said.
“To that end, our culture and religious practices must continue to frown on some of the unacceptable practices like child marriage which undermine the rights of girls and boys.
“I wish to remind us all that the Constitution remains the supreme law of the land and any harmful cultural and religious practices that infringe on the rights of any citizen should be stopped. “Government acknowledges and expresses gratitude to the contribution of civil society organisations in our gender based violence prevention and response efforts.”
It is also my strong belief that as we continue to address this scourge effectively, it is critical to address the root causes in particular issues of economic empowerment of women as lack of it increases women and girls’ vulnerability.”
Police staff officer for the Victim Friendly Unit Chief Superintendent Munyaradzi Tundu said they were concerned about issues to do with gender-based violence.
“The impact of gender-based violence among women and children across the board is very significant and alarming therefore needs a swift reaction. As the Zimbabwe Republic Police we will play our part in making sure that the national goals as stated through this strategy will come to fruition,” he said.
“Without doubt, this has been and will continue to be our desire as a dedicated and specialised section which polices gender based violence crimes.
“The goal of the Victim Friendly Unit includes providing a very conducive and friendly environment that promotes free reporting of gender-based violence cases.”
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