16 Days of Activism kickstart: The GBV challenge
Duduzile Mathema
Zimbabwe joins the rest of the globe in commemorating 16 days of activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) running between 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and 10 December (Human Rights Day).
This year’s commemorations are being held under the theme: “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls”.
Constitutional awareness in Zimbabwe is one of the many routes in empowering women through equipping them with knowledge of their rights, access to justice, and the tools to advocate for policy change in the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Councilor Sikhululekile Moyo of Bulawayo Ward 17 stated some of the initiatives she has lined up for the 16 days of activism through advocacy in her Ward. Cllr. Moyo said she has commenced engagements with her community by bringing together groups that are affected the most by GBV such as children of school going age, adolescents, women and the elderly.
“Engagements began on the 24th of November as I sat down with parents and shared knowledge on ways that limit the prevalence of GBV in the home,” said Cllr Moyo. “There will be separate meetings that will see women, youths and the elderly being able to share their concerns on GBV.”
She further highlighted some of the policies at Bulawayo City Council that were crafted to protect the rights of women and girls in accessing service delivery.
“Council has a Gender Policy, Sexual Harassment Policy and these policy documents mandate Council to take all the necessary measures to protect women and girls against gender based violence in the course of service delivery.”
She added: “Areas where women faced some form of infringement of rights were structured in access to housing and or stands for accommodation. Even though progress has been made in that women can now apply for housing stands in their own capacity their numbers are still low.”
Cllr Moyo stated that she envisions a society where women are economically empowered so that they do not have to rely on their abusive husbands or partners for sustenance.
Founder and Director of Women Association of Survivors (WAZ), Kuda Kunzekweguta says training and advocacy are key to achieving gender parity.
She said: “Public awareness and social change from the Constitution of Zimbabwe can be achieved through education and advocacy, awareness raising which will challenge harmful gender stereotypes, promote gender equality, and foster a culture of respect and non-violence.”
Kunzekweguta urged authorities to strengthen the justice system to protect women and girls from various forms of violence.
“We advocate for an effective and responsive justice system that prioritizes the rights and safety of the girl child.
“Women’s rights organisations have an obligation of ensuring that laws are in place to protect girls from GBV and that perpetrators are held accountable.”
According to the United Nations globally, an estimated 736 million women—almost one in three—have been subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their life (30 per cent of women aged 15 and older).
