Zimbabwe reforming legislation to fight gender based violence

Harare (New Ziana)-Zimbabwe is working on legislative reforms aimed at fighting violence against women and girls which will include criminalising sexual activity with minors, a cabinet Minister said on Wednesday.

Delivering a solidarity message on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV), Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said one of the key achievements Zimbabwe has made so far is to criminalise child marriages through the Marriages Act.

“We have made efforts to address key issues such as child marriages, gender based violence and access to justice for all through various legislative frameworks. We have successfully reduced the prevalence of child marriages. “Additionally, we have established specialised courts and support services to provide victims of gbv with the necessary assistance in seeking justice.

“We are also pushing for legislative reforms to fight violence against women and girls including the criminalisation of sexual activity with children under the age of 18,” he said.

He said the efforts are aimed at creating a society where women and girls can live freely from the fear of violence and exploitation by addressing the root causes of GBV and implementing strong legal measures.

“My Ministry reaffirms its steadfast dedication to eradicating GBV from our society. GBV has no rightful place in a peaceful and democratic nation like Zimbabwe and our unwavering support and commitment remains to protect the rights of women and girls, nonetheless our mission is ongoing. There is still much to be accomplished to ensure the complete realisation of this goal,” said Ziyambi.

The government, he said, recognises the gravity of the problem of GBV and has implemented programmes to address it comprehensively through prevention, response and support services.

“We must persist in collaboration with all stakeholders including civil society organisations and international partners to strengthen our initiatives and amplify our influence in advancing women’s rights. Only through collective effort and unwavering commitment can we achieve genuine gender justice for all. We firmly believe that by addressing the underlying causes of GBV, and creating opportunities for rehabilitation, we can genuinely transform the lives of women and girls in Zimbabwe. Together let’s strive for a future where every individual can live free from violence and discrimination,” said Ziyambi.

In Zimbabwe at least 1 in every 3 women aged between 15 and 49 have experienced physical violence (35 percent) while 1 in every 5 women (17 percent) have experienced sexual violence, with perpetrators in most cases being intimate partners and relatives.

Other harmful practices include child and early and forced marriages, which constitute a serious violation of the sexual, reproductive and health rights of women and girls in Zimbabwe, leading to higher rates of early pregnancy and increased risks of exposure to HIV/AIDS, and high level of maternal mortality.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December with the International Human Rights Day.

This year the theme for the commemorations is: “UNITE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls.”

New Ziana