Increase of GBV cases alarming

By Melody Gwenyambira

The Women Coalition of Zimbabwe has noted with alarm the increase in cases of Gender Based Violence around the country.

This comes at a time when the country is commemorating 16 Days of Activism against gender based Violence from November 25 to December 10.

“The Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development and Gender Links, GBV indicators study reveals that 68percent of women in Zimbabwe have experienced some form of GBV in their lifetime. In the same study 46percent of men admitted that they had perpetrated some violence in their lifetime,’ WCoZ said in a statement.

The study also reveals that violence is high among intimate partners and this makes the home an unsafe place for women and children. Women and girls are subjected to various forms of violence such as physical violence, economic violence, rape, sexual harassment, harmful cultural and religious practices.

“WCoZ encourages the men and women of Zimbabwe to use the 16 Days of Activism to denounce all forms of violence in their community. GBV will only end when we all adopt the zero tolerance approach to violence in the community and the home.”

This year’s global theme is From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s challenge militarism and end violence against women.

This theme recognizes the linkage between the military and violence against women. Militaries are the epitome of the culture of violence and wherever there is conflict, the military from every side of the conflict are notorious for harassing women.