NPRC calls for peace ahead of elections

Rejoice Makoni

Herald Correspondent

National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) spokesperson, Advocate Obert Gutu has urged Zimbabweans to be torch-bearers of peace-building in their respective communities and continue to work together to avoid violence as the country heads towards the harmonised elections this month.

Speaking a at provincial training workshop on electoral gender-based violence prevention and management held in Harare yesterday, Advocate Gutu said it was important to prevent and manage election-related violence to build a strong democratic and gender inclusive peaceful society.

The workshop was attended by NPRC committee members, Zimbabwe Council of Churches [ZCC] and members of the media.

“May we all be torch-bearers of peace-building in our respective communities and continue to work together to bring an end to conflict related gender-based violence.

“I am looking forward to fruitful deliberations throughout this training on how we can develop an effective framework to accelerate responses to prevent and manage electoral gender-based violence,” he said.

“It is important to note that electoral violence is often gendered in nature due to the gendered differences in prevalence and forms of violence.

“While electoral violence affects both men and women, it has a disproportionate effect on women and girls.”

Preventing and managing election-related violence, in particular electoral conflict related gender- based violence, was important in the long-term effort to build a strong, democratic and gender inclusive peaceful society.

“As a nation, we have made great 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 and developing sustainable mechanisms to respond to electoral GBV, in particular electoral conflict related gender- based violence.

“Electoral gender based violence is a significant threat to human security and peace.”

A representative from ZCC Fredrick Thondhlana said the training workshop was an important initiative as the nation prepared for harmonised elections.

“Women and girls are mostly victims of electoral violence so they have been targeted for training to ensure they are equipped with knowledge.”