WCoZ calls for urgent action to end gender-based violence

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) has called for action to end gender-based violence (GBV) as the country joins the global community in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism against GBV.

This year, the observance runs under the theme “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Unite to End Violence Against Women.”

The 2024 observances mark a crucial milestone in the global movement to advance women’s rights, reflecting on the progress made since the landmark 1994 Beijing Declaration.

In a statement, WCoZ noted both achievements and ongoing challenges faced by women and girls in Zimbabwe.

“We are pleased with the progress made over the past 30 years, but systemic weaknesses continue to undermine the safety of women and girls,” the statement reads.

“Despite progressive frameworks like the Marriages Act, which criminalises child marriage, weak enforcement allows harmful practices to persist, putting young girls at risk. The lack of resources and oversight has severely hampered the ability of the Anti-Domestic Violence Council to protect survivors and address the root causes of gender-based violence.”

WCoZ expressed concern over the alarming rise of GBV in Zimbabwe’s extractive communities, where women and girls face disproportionately high rates of violence, including child marriages and increased HIV infections.

“Women in mining areas are particularly vulnerable, and the rapid expansion of the extractive sector has only exacerbated these issues. Women human rights defenders are at the forefront of this struggle, yet they remain under threat. Legal protections must be strengthened to ensure their safety,” the statement added.

As part of their call to action, WCoZ urged the Government, Parliament, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and civil society organisations to prioritize a range of measures to combat GBV.

These measures include the immediate resourcing and operationalisation of the Anti-Domestic Violence Council in the 2025 National Budget, comprehensive training for law enforcement, judicial, and health personnel on gender-sensitive approaches to GBV, and an inquiry into the implementation of the Marriages Act—particularly Section 3(3), which criminalizes child marriages—to assess arrests and convictions since its enactment.