Harare (New Ziana) -Gender Based Violence (GBV) in all its forms continues to be perpetrated mostly against women and children in the country, a cabinet Minister has said.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said this in a speech read on her behalf by her deputy Jennifer Mhlanga at commemorations to mark 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence held in the capital on Thursday.
“It is truly a shameful indictment against our beautiful country, that we should have to meet like this to deliberate on how to stop ourselves from cannibalizing our own children and women. However, it is our reality and we must deal with it,” she said.
Women and girls are the most at risk and affected by gender-based violence, though men and boys do also experience the global scourge.
“Gender based violence is rooted in structural inequalities between men and women and is characterized by the use and abuse of physical, emotional, or financial power and control.”
GBV is widespread in Zimbabwe and is occurring across all socio-economic, cultural backgrounds with one in three females having experienced it in their lifetime.
Mutsvangwa said gender- based violence prevention initiatives do not only address immediate harm but also challenge the deeply entrenched norms, attitudes, and power dynamics that perpetuate inequality.
She said as the guarantors of rights for all people to punish the perpetrators of violence against women and provide services, the government has an obligation to provide support and justice to survivors and their families, she said.
“It is time to eliminate stereotyping and prejudices towards women, improve support services to survivors and families, and dedicate planning and budgeting to preventing violence against women and girls.”
The commemorations, which were jointly hosted by the Gender Commission of Zimbabwe, Musasa and the Women Affairs Ministry, kick started with a march against Femicide and GBV. A minute of silence was held in honour of those killed in GBV.
This year’s national commemorations were held under the theme: Unite! Prevention of Violence against Women and Girls.
New Ziana
