Story by Memory Chamisa
THE establishment of safe markets and one-stop centres by the government and development partners has enhanced the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women, especially those affected by violence.
A refuge for those crying out for help.
This is a place in Epworth where nightmares are turned into hope.
A safe space for gender-based violence survivors who are getting medical assistance, legal aid, psychological counselling, and temporary shelter alongside victims of sexual abuse.
“We are not ordinary women who have nothing, we are women who are important, this market has enabled us many women up and down the country depend on markets for their survival not only has the market provided a safe place for business but our children and grandchildren as there is a nursery and playground too,” a GBV survivor said.
“We would like to see public childcare centres like this in every market across the country, so that our fellow women are able to concentrate on their business and feel good about their children getting a good education from people who care about their wellbeing and their health,” a beneficiary said.
Every district in the country now has a one-stop centre that offers medical assistance, legal aid, psychological counselling, and temporary shelter to victims of gender based violence and sexual abuse.
The one-stop centres are a result of the collaboration of the European Union, the United Nations and the government of Zimbabwe under a programme called The Spotlight Initiative.
“The primary goal is to end all forms of violence against women and girls, including physical, sexual, and economic violence. Spotlight Initiative’s high-impact, comprehensive approach to eliminating violence against women and girls has made impressive gains since launching in Zimbabwe in 2019.
“The programme has also recorded significant achievements, through the Government of Zimbabwe from enacting laws and policies that better protect the rights of women and girls, to mobile one stop centres serving survivors of gender-based violence in the country’s most remote provinces, to working with civil society organizations to end child marriage,” UN Women Representative in Zimbabwe, Ms Fatou Aminata said.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, acknowledged the significant gains recorded in the country’s efforts to eliminate gender based violence.
“The Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative Country programme has recorded significant gains. Of note is the High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) on Gender Based Violence, which was signed by the President of Zimbabwe in October 2021. He has demonstrated a high-level political commitment to end violence against women and girls, as well as harmful practices, including child marriages. To date, the Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative programme has reached over five million beneficiaries, exceeding the targeted two million.
“Zimbabwe received US$30 million from the European Union as one of 22 countries implementing the Euro 500 million global joint UN-EU Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls. The programme directly and indirectly targets beneficiaries, particularly rural women and girls, women and girls living with disabilities, and women living with HIV. Safe shelters have been constructed across the country’s provinces, offering services to GBV survivors, including one-stop centres,” she said.
Through the establishment of one-stop centres, legislative reforms, dedicated helplines, and financial support, a multi-faceted approach is being implemented to create a safer environment for women.
