Tinaye Agere
Sharon Masocha
Zimbabwe has made notable progress in tackling gender-based violence and harmful practices, which has significantly reduced teenage pregnancies and child marriages, a top United Nations Zimbabwe (UN) official has said.
UN Partnerships and Development Finance Advisor in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Sirak Gebrehiwot, said this during the International Day of the Girl Child celebrations today.
The celebrations are running under the theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future”.
Gebrehiwot said Zimbabwe was doing the most in the fight against GBV.
“Through the UN Spotlight Initiative, generously funded with US$34 million from the European Union and implemented by the Government of Zimbabwe, UN Agencies, and Civil Society Reference and youth Groups, Zimbabwe has made notable progress in tackling gender-based violence and harmful practices.
“This initiative symbolizes hope, showcasing the strength of community mobilization, traditional leaders, and a high-level political compact championed by President Mnangagwa, focusing on protecting women’s and girls’ rights through legal and institutional frameworks and deliberate resource allocation in the national budget,” he said.
Gebrehiwot said despite challenges, Zimbabwean girls are advancing with resilience and optimism.
“These girls are not just seeking change; they embody it, creating impacts that will resonate for generations.
“At the community level, there is an increasing acknowledgment of the significance of girls’ education and empowerment. With support from programmes like the recently concluded Spotlight Initiative and the ongoing Together for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights funded by the Government of Sweden, local leaders and parents are opposing early marriages and endorsing policies that protect girls’ rights,” he said.
He said such collective effort is vital to addressing and reducing gender-based violence while empowering girls to follow their dreams.
Online Reporter