Uniting to uproot GBV
ACCORDING to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund 2019 report, 40 percent of women in Zimbabwe aged between 15 and 49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner, including 19 percent who suffered such violence during the previous year.
Harmful practices such as early and forced marriages also constitute a serious violation of women’s sexual, reproductive and health rights.
While boys and men do experience abuse, it is important to remember that the majority of victims of violence are female and the majority of perpetrators of violence are boys and men.
Therefore, the high prevalence of GBV is an indication of gender inequality.
Due to the severity of the situation, everyone needs to take part in the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence that commence tomorrow and will run until 10 December.
The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development and its partners has already launched the campaign period with a call to double efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls.
The theme for 2023 commemorations is ‘Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls’.
This is a period to highlight, appreciate and honour efforts and sacrifices by individuals, institutions and governments towards the prevention and elimination of all forms of GBV.
Our campaigns can range from online petitions and social media campaigns to grassroots and national awareness-raising initiatives.
The communities, schools, and faith-based organisations are a good starting point for the campaigns.
In that vein, specific measures to address and prevent GBV are supposed to be put in place. These can include passing or improving laws, ratifying international conventions, providing safe houses or free hotline services and free legal aid to survivors, as well as supporting education programmes that address gender stereotypes and violence.
In Zimbabwe, we really need to scale up our fight because despite the enactment of the Domestic Violence Act and having Sections 51, 52 and 53 of the Constitution explicitly providing for the right to dignity, personal security and freedom from inhumane and degrading treatment, cases of GBV continue to escalate.
GBV remains both prevalent and vastly under-reported as many survivors decide to suffer in silence rather than risk stigmatisation.
This calls for an action plan on how to uproot GBV.
As a society, we can start by interrupting abuse. If you witness any form of abuse, say something to stop it. A perpetrator is likely to stop if they feel challenged or exposed.
On a personal level, do not engage in any forms of sexual harassment, such as catcalling, and unwanted touching. Also, be empowered to speak up against friends and peers who do. Do not look the other way!
We can also stop victim blaming as it allows the violence to continue as perpetrators are not held accountable. Victim blaming discourages victims from speaking up. By choosing to support the victim, we will help to stop a culture that normalises and minimises violence against girls and women.
Most importantly, it is crucial for us to create safe spaces to discuss GBV. The more we talk about the elephant in the room, the more everyone can get the guts to stand against the scourge.