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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
TRADITIONAL leaders’ homesteads in Bulilima District will offer shelter to victims of Gender Based Violence. This was agreed during a two day workshop on Gender Based Violence sensitisation that was held in Bulawayo last week. Participants’ at the workshop noted that the district did not have any institutions where GBV victims could be referred to for rehabilitation.

The workshop was attended by United Nations Women, various government departments and community leaders from Bulilima District. Traditional leaders accepted a suggestion for them to shelter people fleeing domestic violence in their homes.

Speaking during the workshop, United Nations Children Education Fund (Unicef) Child Protection Consultant, Makwanya Msekiwa said most rural communities do not have such institutions.

“Safe houses are a necessity for GBV survivors be it women or children but unfortunately a number of rural communities don’t have any. In such cases homes of traditional leaders can be used for this purpose and abandoned buildings within the community can be turned into safe houses,” he said.

Msekiwa said that safe houses were necessary in the healing process.

He said a safe house had to serve as a facility where victims could receive counselling. He said there was a need for all potential facilities to be inspected to ensure that there was security.

Msekiwa also said counselling services as well as other resources such as food needed to be available at these temporary facilities.

“All potential shelters have to be legalised first after they have been inspected. The inspection process should ascertain whether survivors will be guaranteed safety and that their needs can be catered for,’’ he said.

Traditional leaders who were part of the workshop welcomed the initiative and urged relevant authorities to regularise the process as soon as possible.

Headman Manguba of Bulilima District said the initiative was long overdue.

“As traditional leaders we’ve children and women fleeing from their homes after being subjected to violence seeking refuge at homes of traditional leaders. Therefore it would be good if our homes are turned into safe houses after being deemed suitable in this regard.

“If homes of traditional leaders are equipped with resources such as food and the department of social services offers counselling to survivors then this can go a long way in benefiting the community,’’ he said.