GBV has potential to affect economic growth
Madam,
The number of gender-based violence (GBV) cases has increased as a result of social and economic fault lines in the society, due to inequality and poverty which have exposed dangers faced by women. Violence against women impacts negatively on the majority of the country’s citizens; poor households continue to be affected by such violence. Patriarchal ideas still dominate men as women are viewed as being objects of men. GBV has seemingly been institutionalised and normalised, those arrested for GBV are given light sentences that do not discourage them from engaging in such violence. Yet peace and security have been on the central agenda on SADC’s regional integration. However, the continued existence of GBV in the SADC region and the country continues to threaten human, security, peace and development. The increasing numbers of GBV cases are a signal to the region and country on the need to enforce and facilitate the implementation and monitoring of the SADC protocol on gender and development. The SADC protocol on gender and development, which came into force in 2013 and revised in 2016, clearly identifies GBV as an area of concern and has proposed several approaches which have been codified in GBV.
The chairperson of SADC’s council of ministers expressed concern on the high prevalence of GBV in the region and called upon member States to make efforts to achieve gender equality and promote peace and security.
INFRINGEMENT
Economic growth can only be achieved if the country creates a favourable environment for both men and women to enjoy their full rights without infringement or oppression, with equal employment opportunities, businesses, access to financial institutions and representation in leadership. To reduce GBV and encourage long-term development, the SADC protocol emphasises on representation in participation of women in all socio-economic spheres in order to achieve gender parity in both politics and decision making laws. Thus, women should be recognised and be allowed to participate fully in peacekeeping, peace-building, conflict resolution and reconstruction and humanitarian response.
IMPACT
In the country the cost of such violence demonstrates the impact that it has on resources particularly the affected groups which presents a negative impact on the private sector and businesses in general. Domestic violence and GBV have affected women across different economic groups. Studies have shown that GBV has put a strain on public health which has created problems, nationally.
Violence against women has a potential to affect economic growth spanning generations to come. GBV can result in the increase on the cost of services, economic loss resulting on lost output, decreased productivity and lower earnings for companies. To fight the scourge and respond to GBV, government introduced legislation such as the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act, but incidents of such violence are continuing to escalate. The gender power dynamics have created an oppressive system for women, thereby making them vulnerable to diseases such as HIV. The impact of GBV has been felt in different spheres of life with the church becoming silent and failing to condemn the scourge, which has affected both women and children.
We need to put an end on the killing and violation of women by creating a safer and better society for all. Many citizens are concerned about GBV and demand better laws and policies to change this status quo. We need to take that wheel at least reduce or halt the scourge of GBV by making sure that those who do evil especially against women, are sent to jail with no fines or bail. GBV has raised nationwide anger that is targeted at the criminal justice system with citizens and survivors questioning the exploitation of the legal system by the perpetrators.
Phetha