Top official decries surge in gender-based violence

Nesia Mhaka Herald Correspondent

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs, has released statistics showing that at least 4 118 women were victims of gender-based violence (GBV) perpetrated by men in the last quarter of 2019.

The statistics were revealed by the Secretary for Women Affairs, Small and Enterprises Development Mr Melusi Matshiya in his remarks during the handover of an Anti-Domestic Violence Council (ADVC) vehicle to the ministry by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) last Friday.

The 4 118 victims were married women who reported that they had experienced physical, emotional or sexual violence from their husbands or partners, while 1 105 women were raped in the last quarter of 2019.

Mr Matshiya said cases of gender-based violence were still high in the country, triggering calls for an all stakeholders’ approach to address the issue.

“Statistics indicate that domestic violence is still a major problem in the country and it requires all stakeholders to form joint-ventures and fight against domestic violence,” he said.

“Everyone of us has a role to play, be it the police, courts, healthcare providers, legal service providers, churches, traditional leaders, funding partners, civil society organisations, artistes, the media and in our individual capacities. Coordination is critical as it creates a platform for building synergies and collaboration which has always proved to bring results.

“Coordination is necessary to avoid duplication and fragmentation of gender-based violence related interventions at national, provincial and district levels.”

Mr Matshiya said the Government has scaled up efforts to ensure that domestic violence is contained.

“The Government of Zimbabwe already has in place mechanisms and multi-sectoral structures, starting from the national level down to the ward level that address GBV,” he said.

“The enactment of the Domestic Violence Act in 2006 is a reflection of the Government’s highest level of commitment to eliminate violence against women and girls in Zimbabwe.”

Mr Matshiya said the country was in the process of reviewing many laws to align them with the Constitution.

This includes labour laws and introducing legislation to end child and forced marriages.

“The Government has introduced the Spotlight Initiative which is expected to build and support the development of a national strategy on gender-based violence, including sexual harassment, which can then facilitate the establishment and strengthening of reporting processes to enable survivors to seek protection and services,” he said.

“We are currently implementing the Zero Tolerance National Programme on GBV Prevention Response (2016-2019) and it would be unjustified not to mention and acknowledge the tremendous support that the NFPA has availed towards its implementation.”

Speaking at the same event, UNFPA country representative Dr Esther Muia said capacity enhancement of partners was important in GBV response.

She said UNFPA remained committed to supporting the Anti-Domestic Violence Council to carry out its mandate of addressing the problem of domestic violence.

“UNFPA reaffirms its commitment to work with the Ministry of Women Affairs Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development, as well as the ADVC and other CSOs to ensure that we build and sustain a safer environment for women and girls where they can prosper and fulfil their dreams and aspirations without fear and hindrance,” said Dr Muia.

“Key findings from the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey for 2015 confirm that violence against women and girls is still a matter of concern. We know that, for example, at least 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

“The UNFPA is pleased to be working in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe CSOs as well as key independent bodies, commissions and the ADVC, to address this problem.”

Anti-Domestic Violence Council chairperson Mrs Eunice Njovana urged people to become agents of change insofar as domestic violence was concerned.