adminVice-President Mujuru said this during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo.
This year’s campaign is being run under the theme, “From peace in the home to peace in our nation. Let us challenge all forms of gender-based violence”.
Vice-President Mujuru said awareness campaigns have not translated into reduction of incidences of domestic violence.
She said daily media reports on gruesome cases of domestic violence were disheartening.
“The Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development has made remarkable progress in raising awareness on gender-based violence and the Domestic Violence Act,” said Vice-President Mujuru.
“It is, however, disheartening to note that the awareness has not translated into the reduction of incidences of domestic violence cases including murder cases,” said Vice President Mujuru.
She said it was important for the ministry and other stakeholders to establish the root cause of domestic violence if the country was to address the problem of domestic violence.
“One might ask, what has gone wrong with our society. Is it loss of moral values that used to uphold the sanctity of human life, or is it the rise of a sub-culture that glorifies violence?
“As a people we really need to establish the root cause of domestic violence so we can address the real issues and not only the symptoms,” said Vice-President Mujuru.
She said the abusive home environment cultivated insecurity in children, bringing the risk of them becoming social malcontents or perpetrators of abuse.
“We know that the traditional family structures had support systems that helped people to handle grievances and problems.
“Unfortunately this has been weakened, leaving people with limited or no access to the much needed help to cope with pressures of modern living. There is therefore a need to find ways of strengthening the family unit and the traditional mediation systems,” said Vice-President Mujuru.
She called on men who were victims of violence to also report the abuse to the police.
“I am informed that most of the gender based violence reported cases are against women. This, however, does not mean that men are not victims. Some men suffer in silence because coming out in the open could lead to ridicule due to beliefs and attitudes around masculinity. I urge men to come out in the open so together we can work towards healthier and peaceful societies,” said
Vice-President Mujuru.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Dr Olivia Muchena, said this year’s campaign was launched in Bulawayo as part of decentralisation.
She said the campaign would focus on the 4Ps to fight gender based violence which were prevention, protection, participation and programmes.
“We decided to come to Bulawayo as part of decentralisation as we launch the 16-Day campaign with 4Ps. This calls for everybody to take part throughout the 365 days of the year.
“Let us not tolerate abuse and let us work towards empowering ourselves for peaceful homes, communities and a peaceful nation. The 16 days offer us an opportunity to renew the commitment to
freeing women from the nightmare of gender-based violence,” said Dr Muchena.
Online Reporter