Harare, (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has expressed deep concern over the growing number of reported cases of physical, sexual, emotional and other forms of violence occurring within intimate relationships, some of which have resulted in loss of life.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare on Friday, ZGC Chairperson, Dr Leslie Ncube said reported cases of intimate partner and domestic violence included incidents that had escalated to grievous bodily harm, murder and suicide.
At least 13,838 cases of sexual offences and aggravated domestic violence were recorded across the country in 2024.
The Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) 2023–2024 also indicates that intimate partner violence remains widespread, with 27 percent of women aged 15 to 49 reporting that they had experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
“Behind every reported case, there may be many more incidents that remain hidden because of fear, stigma, economic dependence, shame, threats, social pressure, lack of information, concerns about family breakdown or limited access to support services.
“The Commission is deeply saddened by the increasing number of reported cases of fatal domestic disputes. These incidents underscore the urgent need for strengthened early intervention, prevention, and coordinated national response mechanisms to prevent domestic conflicts from escalating into violence and loss of life,” Dr Ncube said.
The Commission called for an inclusive and gender-sensitive approach that ensures every survivor, regardless of gender, can access information, prevention and protection services, support, justice and appropriate referral mechanisms.
“Intimate partner violence cannot be dismissed as a private family matter. It is a human rights, gender equality, social and development concern that requires a coordinated national response. The continued prevalence of intimate partner violence demonstrates the need to strengthen implementation, prevention, public awareness, reporting, referral mechanisms and access to support services,” Dr Ncube added.
Against the backdrop of what the Commission described as a recent surge in intimate partner violence, Dr Ncube announced that the ZGC would conduct a 90-day National Campaign Against Intimate Partner Violence from October to December 2026, culminating in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The campaign aims to shift the national focus from responding to violence after it occurs towards prevention and early intervention. Its areas of focus will include identifying warning signs, mental health dialogue, healthy relationships, peaceful conflict resolution, reporting, survivor support and institutional accountability.
The increase in reported cases of domestic violence has also drawn the attention of Parliament. Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Gertrude Mutandi, has called for urgent and proactive measures to address the problem.
“The ZGC calls on every Zimbabwean to be part of this campaign. Ending intimate partner violence cannot be left to the police, Government, the Commission, civil society or survivors alone. Everyone has a role to play in preventing violence, supporting survivors and building peaceful homes and safe communities,” Dr Ncube said.
Zimbabwe recorded 7,061 sexual and gender-based violence cases during the first quarter of 2026, according to figures presented by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ).
The country has a National GBV Strategy for 2023–2030, although its implementation continues to face challenges, including inadequate resources, weak coordination, patriarchal attitudes and barriers to accessing support services.
New Ziana
