Chronicle Editor
Sifelani Tsiko in Umzingwane
Plans are underway to build a US$90 000 safe market to help end violence against women and girls in Umzingwane Rural District.
Debra Mwase, programme manager of Katswe Sisterhood, an implementing partner of the Spotlight Initiative told the Herald yesterday that the safe market would ensure that women and girls are safe and participate actively in the local economy.
She said this during a campaign dubbed: “Creating safe and empowering public spaces for women and girls.”
“The safe market which will be constructed soon at Habane Extension here Umzingwane will address issues of gender-based violence in public spaces,” Mwase said.
“This is part of the UN Women flagship programme on safe cities and safe public spaces.”
UN Women is partnering with Katswe Sisterhood and the Government on a Safe Cities-Safe Public Spaces-Safe Markets Flagship Programme which seeks to end violence against women and girls in public spaces.
The project is being piloted in Epworth, Chipinge and Umzingwane districts.
About 62 women are expected to benefit from the project in Umzingwane.
Sexual harassment and other forms of violence in public spaces is a daily reality for women and girls in Zimbabwe and most parts of the world. It often happens on the streets, in public transportation, in and around schools or workplaces, public toilets, water and food distribution sites and parks.
“We face sexual and physical abuse from drunken artisinal miners here in Umzingwane,” said Vimbai Sithole (29), a vendor at Habane Extension market.
“Drug and substance abuse is a big problem and as women we suffer from the abuse.”
She said a safe market will help protect them and restore dignity to the women who toil daily in the vending business.
“We are so excited about plans to build the safe market,” she said. “We are going to have secure stalls, proper toilets, and decent shelter for us and our customers.”
Revai Runganga (39), another vendor said drunken amakorokoza were a menace at their market.
“Rowdy artisinal miners can tear down our vending stalls, mess up our sites and in worst cases even refuse to pay for items sold,” she said.
“We need a safe market that can protect us and our wares.”
Martha Masuku (28) another vendor complained that some rowdy men often vandalise their stalls and in some cases even assault women at the market.
“Amakorokoza can beat you up if you turn them down when they approach you,” she said. “It’s not easy for us now and we need a safe market to protect us.”
Partson Sibanda, Ward 16 Councillor for Umzingwane Rural District welcomed plans to build a safe market.
“We want smart cities and we want to grow as a district. We want to develop and bring safe and decent markets for our women,” he said.
“Gender-based violence is there because of the influx of artisinal miners. There is money, gold and power issues which can be abused to harass women.”
He said safe markets will help raise awareness on the need to stop gender-based violence in Umzingwane.
Abuse of women in public spaces limits their access to essential services, enjoyment of cultural and recreational activities, and negatively impacts their health and well-being.
UN Women has been working with various local NGOs and community-based organisations (CBOs) under the Spotlight Initiative supported through a partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to end violence against women and girls and harmful practices.
Zimbabwe is among the 20 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia — Pacific and the Caribbean which have benefited from the four — year programme supported by the EU to the tune of US$30 million.
Women’s rights activists said free movement of women can drive economic growth, but only if women are enabled to realise their rights and if law enforcement, private sector, Government and civil society improve women’s safety in public spaces.
Online Reporter