CITY, GENDER COMMISSION FIGHT GBV
THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has teamed up with the City Of Harare to mark Women’s Month with a fight against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) through a Clean Up Campaign in Mbare.
Harare Deputy Mayor, Councillor Rosemary Muronda, said it was important to get rid of GBV in homes.
“It is my honour to officiate at the Clean Up campaign during the Month of Women and Gender-Based Awareness commemoration under the theme ‘Sweeping Gender-Based Violence’ and I express my gratitude to all the stakeholders who took part in this programme to make this event a success,” she said.
“Just as we diligently remove litter from our streets, we must also work tirelessly to eliminate the toxic behaviour and attitude that fuel gender-based violence.”
ZGC chairperson, Commissioner Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe, said ensuring a clean and GBV-free place is everyone’s responsibility.
“We are happy teaming up with Harare City Council to clean up not only this place but reminding people in Mbare and the nation at large that throwing litter is bad for the environment,” she said.
“We are also saying that while doing this clean-up campaign, let us sweep GBV in homes and communities, let us stop this violence, the killings and hurting each other so that when working at the musika (marketplace), we will be working in peace and harmony as males and females.”
Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) Gender and Advocacy Officer, Phephisiwe Muranda, said it was important for victims of sexual gender-based violence to seek medical help prior to reporting to the police.
She said medical assistance is necessary three days following the incident.
“GBV not only affects the physical being but the mental well-being to an extent that many can get mental disorders and others can be suicidal or even die,” she said.
“We see women not reporting cases of GBV, even when the sexual abuse happens to children, they keep quiet, for various reasons.
“But, we are encourage that when GBV or sexual abuse occurs, report quickly for us to help treat the victim. ARC is at Parirenyatwa Hospital Ward C9 where they give assistance for free to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.”