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Natasha Chamba, Chronicle Reporter
WOMEN fail to meet their full potential in terms of economic and social production because they are still being subjected to Gender Based Violence (GBV), gender activists have said.

Speaking during the renewable energy empowering women farmers’ workshop in Maphisa, Practical Action gender advisor, Mr Tonnie Zibani said women are the force of productivity in most communities but they fail to reach their potential because of gender inequalities and gender based violence.

“In the community setup women are drivers of production. This however, fails to materialise because of constraints in gender inequalities. Women who are subjected to domestic violence are less productive as they suffer from emotional and physical scars,” he said.

Practical Action and Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre, which are both non-governmental organisations, are facilitating funding for renewable projects for women in Matobo and Gwanda Districts.

A recent study by a United National agency, UN Women, says women who are subjected to GBV are 30 percent less productive than those who are not subjected to GBV.

Mr Zibani said Practical Action and Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre will be working with the Government to make sure that women who are subjected to GBV are empowered through access to productive resources.

“Practical Action and Fambidzanai will be working with Government so that women in Matobo and Gwanda are empowered by giving them access to productive resources such as physical capital, financial help and social capital which involves mentors and networks,” he said.

“To get a good start on what we are doing, a GBV context analysis will be conducted in Matobo and Gwanda as it is important to understand these inequalities in order to develop appropriate strategies to reduce them.”

The recent Zimbabwe Health Demographic Survey says there is an increase in GBV cases in Zimbabwe.

It said one out of three women have experienced GBV since the age of 15. — @queentauruszw.