CSOs urged to uplift GBV activism
Buhlebenkosi Nkomo
Civil society organisations (CSOs) championing the fight against gender based violence have been challenged to do more in raising awareness before, during and after the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Tomorrow, the curtain comes down on the 16 Days of Activism against GBV which ran from November the 25th.
A recent report by the police, showed that Zimbabwe recorded 18 907 cases from January to October this year, an increase of 9,6% from the same period last year. The report is also indicative that it is not only women who face gender based violence with an increase of 38,2% of men reporting abuse.
Vimbai Chimuti believes that despite CSOs intensifying efforts to raise awareness about gender based abuse through various initiatives including community outreach programmes, media campaigns and education, communities and CSOs need to rally together and help each other to curb gender based abuse before and after the 25 days of activism.
Director of Zimbabwe Organization For The Youth, Polite Ndhlovu echoed Chimuti’s sentiments Ndhlovu and emphasised that the notion to raise awareness about gender based violence during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence needs to be reviewed because gender based violence can occur at any given period.
Ndlovu added: “We have seen some activities being conducted during the 16 days of Activism Against GBV. However more effort is needed in the rural areas where it is more critical to raise awareness on GBV. In the rural areas, there is less awareness and most of the people who live there aren’t even aware of the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
“There is need to give awareness prior to 25 November. We need to inform people before we actually get to the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. Education on issues such as gender equality and violence can all assist in trying to curb this pandemic.
According to Constance Chinho, there is still a lot of work to be done beyond the 16 days.
“In as much as organisations are doing well to call attention to issues, we still have a lot to improve on in our activism. For example, during outreach programmes, some teach and just pass. For some, it becomes very difficult to do follow ups especially during this period where issues of gender based violence are heightened and some victims are afraid of the stigma that comes with it,” she said.
However, Executive Director of Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA), Michael Ndiweni said CSOs were working within the limited resources they have.
“CSOs are doing what they can with the limited resources that they have to spearhead activities that compliment efforts around the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender based Violence.
Currently, we are collaborating with various government agencies including the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This is a clear sign of efforts being made by CSOs.”
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an International campaign that takes place every year from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the widespread nature of gender-based violence, to promote initiatives that can prevent and end this violence, and to support survivors.
