Story by Patience Nyagato
The need for effective strategies that combat gender-based violence, took centre stage during commemorations to mark 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence organised by the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus Monday night.
Government, development partners, diplomats and other gender champions joined the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus in marking 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence at the New Parliament Building this Monday.
With statistics showing that close to 40 percent of women in the country have been subjected to physical violence and at least 11,6 percent have faced sexual violence as of 2022, the country’s legislature has recommitted itself to ending gender-based violence through harnessing the Beijing Declaration.
“In the circumstances, ending gender-based violence is not just a moral imperative, but a prerequisite for the social and economic progress of our country. Honourable members, ladies and gentlemen, this year marks a significant milestone as we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Adopted in 1995, this landmark framework remains the most comprehensive blueprint for achieving gender equality and empowering women worldwide. As we reflect on the progress made since Beijing, we must acknowledge the strides that Zimbabwe has taken. Our Constitution, adopted in 2013, enshrines gender equality as the fundamental principle and provides robust protections against the gender-based violence. We have enacted progressive laws such as the Domestic Violence Act and established institutions like the Zimbabwe Gender Commission to promote and protect women’s rights.
“However, progress has been slow and challenges still remain. We must therefore recommit ourselves to the full implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and ensure that our efforts are not just symbolic but transformative. This requires political will, accountability and the allocation of adequate resources. About a minute is the cornerstone of any meaningful effort to end gender-based violence. As leaders, we must lead by example and ensure that our ways are met by action,” explained Senate president, Mabel Chinomona.
Challenging traditional practices and norms that perpetuate violence has also been identified as key in fighting the GBV menace.
“One of our mandates is to encourage that we maintain our cultures and traditions. Encouraged that you can take Our cultures are very diverse, coming from tribe to tribe, but some unite and are in common. One among them that is common across is the fact that our culture encourages peace. Peace at home, peace in the village, peace in communities, and peace in the society as a whole. No culture in Zimbabwe do we have that encourages gender-based violence. However there are Criminals that commit crime and then after that rush to hide behind the banner of culture. Like I said, those are criminals. Let the law take its course and arrest them,” Chairperson of the SDGs Committee, Chief Siansali.
Ireland Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Austin Gormley also said,“This reality is that if we are to truly address gender-based violence, we need everybody to play an equal and active role in changing attitudes. And that includes men and boys taking an equal and active role in calling out misogyny, violence and abusive behaviour. It requires all of our institutions, from political leaders, social institutions including the churches, civil society, academia and the media to take a leadership role, and also traditional leaders as we saw earlier.
Government has recorded successes in the fight against gender-based violence.
“I’m particularly grateful to the efforts that have been made towards the passing of laws that protect women and the girl child. I can’t go through them, but we know the Marriages Act, the Child Protection Act, the review of Section 70, and of the Criminal Law Qualification Reform Act. All these are key to ensure access to justice, especially for survivors of violence. Additionally, the quarter system has paved the way for more women to participate. This is a move that we greatly applaud as a ministry,” said the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community and SMEs Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence run from the 25th of November to the 10th of December.
