Zimbabwe launches 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence

Sukulwenkosi Dube, [email protected]

THE country launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign yesterday, urging communities to utilise the facilities and legislation in place to curb and protect survivors of GBV.

The national commemorations of the 16 Days of Activism against GBV took place at Mawabeni Business Centre. This year’s campaign is held under the theme, “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNiTE to End Violence against Women and Girls.”

In her address during the launch, the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, said the Government, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, continues to make significant strides in the fight against GBV.

“The 16 Days of Activism against GBV is of great importance in our calendar of events. It calls for action to

prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls, raise awareness about the impact of GBV, and mobilise action to end it. The campaign also promotes stakeholder collaboration and strengthens accountability in preventing and addressing GBV, reinforcing global, regional, and national frameworks such as the Beijing Declaration and the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

She highlighted that this year’s theme aligns with the 13th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Minister Mutsvangwa stated that the theme calls for all member states to take positive steps towards realising the aspirations of the declaration and critically reflect on the progress made in eliminating violence against women and girls since the declaration’s adoption in 1995.

Since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Zimbabwe has made significant progress in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, including the promulgation of progressive laws and policies to end GBV.

“However, despite the progress made over the past three decades, we continue to witness alarming rates of GBV. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey has shown that 42,5 percent of women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

We have also heard from the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, as well as other distinguished speakers, that GBV is prevalent in Matabeleland South,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa urged stakeholders to take positive steps in creating communities where violence is not tolerated, and where every individual is treated with dignity and respect. She also highlighted the Government’s commitment to strengthening male engagement in the fight against GBV, noting an alarming increase in violence perpetrated by women against men.

To ensure access to holistic services for GBV survivors, the minister stated that her Ministry, in collaboration with its partners, has established 18 one-stop centres and a total of 20 GBV safe shelters across various provinces and districts in the country.

The goal is to establish at least one one-stop centre in each district.
In a speech read on her behalf by the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, the Minister of State for Matabeleland South said the incidence of GBV remains a significant concern in the province, with statistics showing that one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence.

“While this is a national programme, the launch of this campaign here in Matabeleland South is an opportunity for us to reflect on the GBV challenges faced in the province. Reports indicate that GBV is prevalent here, with statistics showing that one in three women in Matabeleland South has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

“The high rates of GBV in Matabeleland South are a stark reminder of the challenges that persist in our society. GBV in this province is deeply intertwined with cultural, economic, and social factors,” she said.

Dr Ndlovu cited patriarchal norms rooted in cultural practices and traditional views on gender roles, limited access to economic opportunities, and substance abuse as key contributors to the prevalence of GBV in the region. She also noted the concerning trend of teenage pregnancies, particularly within diaspora communities.

She added that the fight against GBV requires the active involvement of both men and women, encouraging all to stand against these injustices, advocate for change, and promote respect and equality.

In a speech read on his behalf by the UN Women Country Representative, Ms Aminata Fatou Lo, UN Resident Co-ordinator Mr Edward Kallon expressed the organisation’s commitment to ending violence against women in Zimbabwe through effective collaboration with local organisations, awareness campaigns, legal support, and services for survivors.

He congratulated the Government for its significant efforts in combating GBV and urged communities to take advantage of the services available.

“Progress has been made in this country, as seen across the world, with the adoption of laws and policies to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.

However, our work is far from over. We must continue to challenge all stakeholders to increase investments and ensure effective implementation of these policies,” Mr Kallon said.

He stressed the importance of UN Resolutions, including Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, in protecting women and girls from violence, both in real life and online. — @DubeMatutu