‘Set up anti-GBV councils’

Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
There is need to set up anti-domestic violence councils across the country to educate people on issues of gender-based violence (GBV), while stepping up efforts to eliminate the vice, a senior police officer has said. Manicaland Provincial Victim Friendly Unit department officer Inspector Fordreck Muchandibaya said little was being done to come up with measures that minimised or put an end to GBV.

Insp Muchandibaya said there was need to put a forum where perpetrators were counselled. He made the remarks last week during a workshop held in Manicaland by the Ministry of Women and Youth Affairs on its 100-day plan.

“There is need to put in place some anti-domestic violence councils across the country,” said Insp Muchandibaya. “These will help in conscientising people on issues to do with GBV.” Insp Muchandibaya said most organisations dealing with domestic violence were not thoroughly interrogating the issue.

“I suggest that officials handling domestic violence issues should make some investigations and come up with a report on the circumstances that could have triggered the violence,” he said.

“The report would then be given to a trial officer who would then determines the penalty. But it must not end there. The perpetrator must also be taken to a counsellor, along with the victim.” Insp Muchandibaya said chiefs needed to understand their role in dealing with GBV. I am of the view that chiefs are failing to understand the role they should play when it comes to domestic violence matters,” he said. “They should be conscientised on these issues.”

Provincial youth development officer in the Ministry of Women and Youth Affairs Mrs Theresa Mupanduki said Government was willing to engage all stakeholders in the fight against gender-based violence. Among issues raised by stakeholders at the workshop were early child marriages and children involved in sex work.