Gold has no shine for abused Umzingwane women “Men must respect women. Men must be at the frontline of protecting women against physical and verbal abuse,”

project

in is being Epworth,

and

Umzingwane due to an influx of artisanal miners who perpetuate physical and verbal violence as well as promiscuity.

UN Women has been working with various local NGOs and community based organisations (CBOs) under the Spotlight Initiative supported through a partnership between the European Union and UN to end violence against women and girls and harmful practices.

“Alcohol and substance abuse should not be an excuse for perpetually perpetrating violence against women in public spaces,” said Mr Innocent Katsande, UN Women communications specialist.

“Being drunk is not a licence to harass women in the streets. The rising trend of public violence against women and girls should not be allowed to continue. It should stop.”

Mr Katsande said the campaign aims to raise awareness on the need to respect women and girls in public spaces.

“The rising trend of abuse, harassment and violence in the streets, bus ranks, and market places should stop,” he said.

“Women should be free and safe to go about their daily business without having to look over their shoulders.”

Decorated poet and UN Women ambassador for violence free spaces campaign Albert Nyathi called on men to respect women in public spaces and to desist from excessive drinking which often led to physical and verbal violence against women.

“Men must respect women. Men must be at the frontline of protecting women against physical and verbal abuse,” he said.

“Whenever men see an abusive man, they must come together to stop the abuse of women. Every one of us has a role to play in ending violence in public spaces.”

Zimbabwe is among the 20 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia - Pacific and the Caribbean which have benefited from the four-year programme supported by the EU to the tune of US$30 million.