Tinaye Agere
Fatima Bulla-Musakwa
THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is widening its cooperation in its mandate to fight Gender Based Violence, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Zimbabwe Cricket on Friday morning.
The MoU, which is the first with a sporting association, is meant to provide a framework to facilitate collaboration in strengthening awareness raising to end GBV and all forms of violence against women and girls.
GBV is a huge problem in Zimbabwe with about one in three women aged between 15 and 19 having experienced physical violence and about one in four women having experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
By leveraging on the huge following of cricket followers around the country, especially men and boys, UNFPA is aiming to penetrate the male-dominated sector using well-known cricket personalities to influence positive masculinities.
UNFPA Country Representative, Ms Miranda Tabifor said the landmark initiative was the first of many to come in the sports sector to build alliances that advance the campaign against GBV among other aspects.
“It’s the first time we are having such a partnership with a sports institution and we should look globally before you come to Zimbabwe, at the role of sports in nation building, in addressing ills of the community and society,” she said.
“So, with the ZC being the landmark association that we are going to start this association with against GBV in broader terms, bringing all the related aspects that deal with GBV and equality we are going to expand to other associations in the sporting field.”
UNFPA, as the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights agency within the UN family, leads on prevention and response to GBV.
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director, Mr Givemore Makoni said with the number of cricket players who are role models of the nation, the initiative will have a positive impact on awareness on the ills of GBV and protecting women and girls.
“Cricket is known as the gentleman’s game, so if you want to find gentlemen you find them in cricket. I think the good thing is the emphasis is also on focusing on the boys and men as well,” he said.
“I’m sure by raising awareness and creating that environment where players, the boys especially, are aware of the ills of GBV it will really encourage them and allow them to campaign against such ills.”
The initiative will see UNFPA interacting with the players, training them on related aspects, sharing information and also developing messages which as role models they will share with their audiences.
Online Reporter