GBV a ‘shadow pandemic’

THE EDITOR WRITES

IT is worrisome to note that cases of gender-based violence (GBV) against women and children have escalated globally during lockdown as many of them are confined in homes with their abusers. It seems GBV has become the norm in our communities. GBV must be eradicated. I urge the current regime to conduct online sessions to engage with children about their experiences under lockdown. More NGOs should educate people about the dangers of different forms of GBV. It is true that violence against women and girls since the start of Covid-19 is being driven by numerous things like financial hardships due to the restriction of movements. The “shadow pandemic” of gender-based violence must come to an end. Globally, almost 250 million women and girls suffer physical and sexual violence at the hands of intimate partners each year, and I’m very worried that these numbers are skyrocketing daily. Equality and dignity of women in our different cultures must be restored. As poets we have a role to play in eliminating the monster that is GBV. Why not start off by writing poems which challenge people to act on GBV rather than just keeping quiet. Silence against GBV is the bigger monster. Don’t turn your back, do something. Your poetry has that power. Don’t hesitate to contact me for interesting initiatives you may want Afro Poetry Times to partake in. Farai Diza, EDITOR Email: faraidiza@gmail.com, Twitter: @faraiblogger