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Sikhumbuzo Moyo – [email protected]

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe — A crowd has begun to gather at the car park of Mpilo Central Hospital ahead of the official inauguration of a regional one-stop Centre specifically designed for victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
This centre is one of 18 such facilities being established across the country as part of a nationwide initiative by the government and its partners. The opening coincides with the provincial events marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, an annual global campaign running from November 25 to December 10.

The new centre aims to provide comprehensive support for survivors, offering temporary shelter, healthcare, legal assistance, counselling, psycho-social support, and protection. A significant advantage of this facility is that beneficiaries will no longer have to navigate the often complex hospital processes to access vital services after experiencing abuse, ensuring they receive the necessary help promptly and with dignity.

This year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign is themed, “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: UNITE to End Violence against Women and Girls.” The theme highlights the urgent need to address the alarming rise of GBV globally, which has expanded beyond physical violence to include Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV).

TFGBV encompasses various forms of abuse, such as cyberstalking, defamation, doxing, harassment, and revenge porn, reflecting a disturbing trend that affects women and girls across all demographics. Research from the Institute of International Development indicates that between 16% and 58% of women and girls have experienced TFGBV, underscoring the pervasive nature of this issue and its deep roots in harmful social norms and toxic masculinity.

As the community gathers to mark this significant milestone, the emphasis remains on creating safe spaces and fostering a collective commitment to combat violence against women and girls in all its forms.