Story by John Nhandara
THE launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence officially marks the beginning of the annual campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10.
Running under the theme, ‘United to End Digital Violence Against all Women and Girls,’ this year’s national launch has set the tone for intensified efforts and activities aimed at raising awareness against gender-based violence (GBV).
“Recently, the ministry undertook a study on the economic cost of GBV. These findings have highlighted that this is not only a social issue but also a burden to the nation at large. It drains national development, is a threat to our public health system, and a barrier to inclusive prosperity. We cannot achieve an upper-middle-income society with half of our population affected by violence,” Deputy Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Honourable Jennifer Mhlanga said.
“Our work does not end on December 10. Ending violence is an everyday thing because GBV costs us lives, dignity, and billions,” the Chief Director for Gender and Women Affairs, Mrs Lillian Matsika-Takaendisa noted.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFP) and several organisations have also partnered with the government in programmes aimed at preventing violence and supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
“We are partnering with the country because we understand another pillar of NDS 2 speaks to the social cluster, which includes issues of gender and the need to promote gender inclusivity, equity, and equality, and above all, to end gender-based violence,” said Honourable Mhlanga.
“We have come up with a programme called Sustaining the Gains in line with Sustainable Development Goals. We need to end gender-based violence,” Head of Political, Press and Information Section for the delegation of the EU to Zimbabwe, Lourdes Chamorro added.
This year’s launch of 16 days of activism against gender based violence comes at a time when the Government has already put in place frameworks to end gender based violence, which are enshrined in the national gender policy, frameworks that also align with regional and international conventions on ending gender based violence.
