Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
NATIONAL Peace and Reconciliation Commission is working with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation in coming up with a Youth, Peace and Security National Action Plan which will put the youths at the centre of conflict management and prevention.
In an interview in Gwanda yesterday during an electoral gender-based violence conflict prevention and management training programme, NPRC Commissioner, Nomaqhawe Gwere who is responsible for policy oversight in the Southern Region, said actively involving the youths is part of efforts by the Commission to incorporate all stakeholders in conflict management.
She said they were also working with the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises in coming up with a Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan.
Commissioner Gwere said involvement of all stakeholders is key in addressing electoral gender-based violence.
NPRC in partnership with UN Women and Zimbabwe Council of Churches is holding a nationwide training programme on electoral gender-based violence prevention.
“We want to equip our stakeholders including the church, non-State actors and some Government departments on conflict prevention, management, resolution and transformation particularly focusing on how we can infuse gender-based violence because we understand that in conflict, women, girls, older persons and persons with disability are affected more than men,” she said.
Commissioner Gwere said the objective was to equip stakeholders at community level so that they are better equipped to look at conflict with gender lenses.
“As a Commission we have adopted a multi sectoral approach as we try to deal with gender-based violence in electoral processes. We are working with the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation in coming up with a Youth, Peace and Security National Action Plan which will put the youths at the centre of conflict management and prevention,” she said.
Commissioner Gwere said they were working with various peace structures at various levels to ensure they are capacitated to respond adequately to issues of gender based violence before, during and after elections.
She said the training will equip stakeholders with conflict management skills that they can apply in other spheres.
Commissioner Gwere said women were experiencing cyber bullying where hate speech and derogatory language was being used, forcing them to shy away from participating in electoral processes. She urged the media to spread positive messages on peace and women to end hate speech and use of derogatory language.
NPRC chairperson, Retired Justice Selo Nare said with elections drawing closer, more has to be done to deal with electoral gender based violence.
“We value your contribution to the collective peace building work the commission has embarked on. This training has come at an opportune time when the nation is gearing up for the upcoming 2023 harmonised general elections. It’s also in alignment with the Commission’s thrust and strategy for the year 2023 on conflict prevention. Electoral violence is often gendered in nature due to the gendered differences in prevalence and forms of violence”, said Rtd Justice Nare.
He said while electoral violence affects both men and women, it has a disproportionate effect on women and girls.
“As a nation we have made significant strides over the years in curbing the prevalence of electoral gender based violence and we need to continue on that route by employing more efficient strategies,” sasid Rtd Justice Nare.
He urged all stakeholders to take a leading role in peace building within their communities.
Zimbabwe Council of Churches director for church, peace and just societies programme, Mr Admire Mutizwa said churches have a huge role to play in preventing electoral gender based violence as 85 percent of the population in the country are Christians. He said churches have a huge role in shaping the values and behaviours of people.
Mr Mutizwa said the church has to put in place preventive measures to ensure that elections are conducted in a peaceful manner. – @DubeMatutu.
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