Commutalk Reporter
GWERU – One in three women have had a lifetime experience of Gender Based Violence in Zimbabwe, an official with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender, Small to Medium Enterprise Development in Midlands Province has said.
Speaking during commemorations to mark 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in Mkoba, the ministry’s provincial administrative officer Zodwa Chibi also cast a dark shadow at the high rate of child marriages.
“One in three females have had a lifetime experience of GBV and it is disheartening to note that GBV and child marriages continue to be perpetuated against women and girls in Zimbabwe,” she said.
Chibi said both GBV and child marriages was occurring across all socio-economic cultural backgrounds and regions in the country.
“The Multiple Indicator Cluster survey of 2019 shows that 34 percent of girls in Zimbabwe are married before the age of 18.
“We are happy we have the Marriages Act, which criminalizes child marriages,” she said.
Chibi said child marriages were on the increase with some cases resulting in the death of young girls while giving birth.
“This is unacceptable and what is disheartening to note is that in most cases, parents and relatives are found to be at the centre, either as perpetrators, or as facilitators of abuse,” she said
Chibi said GBV prevention initiative not only addresses immediate harm, but also challenges deeply entrenched norms, attitudes, power dynamics that perpetuate inequality.
This year’s commemorations are being held under the theme, “Unite to end violence against women and girls”.
Malungelo Maduma the Gweru Magistrates Court principal interpreter said most murder cases tried during the three-week Midlands High Court Circuits in Gokwe and Gweru involved the murder of women.
Tendai Ncube of Women in Communities also said there is need to break the silence around issues of GBV if cases of violence against women are to end.
Tendai Marobana, the Women Coalition of Zimbabwe Gweru deputy chairperson further told the gathering that women do not speak out when they are abused even though they are victims.
However, Saywhat Mugota/Ixhiba Midlands chairperson Leniel Tapiwa Gava said men were also suffering in silence as they are victims of GBV.
“The stories told by boys and men who have attempted to report when they are abused are that they end up being victimised.
“One would realise that both the society and the system do not acknowledge violence against men, rather men are always seen as perpetrators even when they are actually the victims,” he said.
Gava said existing support services for victims of GBV are inclined towards assisting girls and women, leaving out boys and men.
“This is the reason why we are witnessing more cases of mental health issues among boys and men, because they feel alone, unsupported, and uncared for,” he said.
Gava said there is need for repackaging the messaging around GBV to include violence against men and boys.
