Zimbabweans urged to maintain momentum of eliminating GBV

Harare (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative which began in 2019 has provided a strong foundation to expand from and created momentum in all sectors to eliminate violence against women, girls and children, a Cabinet Minister said on Monday.

Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa said this in a speech read on her behalf by permanent secretary in the Ministry Dr Mavis Sibanda during the Spotlight Initiative close out event in the capital.

Mutsvangwa said the 5-year operation of the initiative, from 2019 to 2023, complimented government efforts to achieve gender equality and to eliminate all forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

The initiative was funded to the tune of USD30 million by the European Union which partnered the United Nations and the Government of Zimbabwe in implementing the programs.

Mutsvangwa urged stakeholders not to lose momentum but instead sustain and expand the gains of the initiative to accelerate the implementation of the High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) on Ending Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices, which is aligned to the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030.

“We still need financial support from development partners for programmes and initiatives on gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls and for the elimination of GBV.

“The Government, Private Sector and Development Partners must work together and within their individual sectors to mobilize and increase the financial resources for addressing the systemic, structural, and cultural barriers which perpetuate inequalities and violence against women and children,” she said.

She said the Government of Zimbabwe has committed in the HLPC to increase financing of the GBV response by 2030 through gender responsive budgeting, public-private partnerships and other domestic resource mobilization models that will be explored.

There is need, she added, for continued coordinated, consistent and collective approaches and actions to address these urgent issues and the Spotlight Initiative model has shown that when all stakeholders are coordinated in a comprehensive manner with a shared vision and objectives, positive change can be made.

“The Government of Zimbabwe has a strong commitment to achieving SDG 5 and to the creation of a society where women and girls can freely, without the threat of violence in the public or private spheres, exercise choice, have a voice and agency, and are respected, valued, and treated as equal citizens.

Speaking ath same occassion, EU delegation ambassador to Zimbabwe Jobst Von Kirchmann said the Spotlight Initiative has been a shining example of what collaboration and partnership can achieve in the fight against GBV.

“It’s heartening to see the collective efforts of the Government of Zimbabwe, civil society organizations, including Community-Based Organizations, and the private sector. Together, through its six pillars, the Initiative addressed various facets of GBV, promoting accountability and an environment conducive to change.

“It’s crucial to highlight that partnerships were at the core of this initiative. Six UN agencies joined forces, promoting a unified approach that magnified our impact. This teamwork didn’t just tackle GBV, it laid the groundwork for ongoing discussions on gender equality and women’s empowerment,” he said.

New Ziana