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Sikhumbuzo Moyo & Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu

THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has called for increased investment in programmes aimed at preventing violence, supporting survivors, strengthening law enforcement, and improving the legal framework to address gender-based violence (GBV). This call comes as the country marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10.
The launch of this year’s campaign took place in Umzingwane District, Matabeleland South yesterday, at the Mawabeni Business Centre, where the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises, in collaboration with development partners, kicked off the 16 Days of Activism against GBV.
The campaign, themed “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Unite to End Violence against Women & Girls,” commenced with a march around Mawabeni Business Centre, drawing attention to the critical issue of GBV.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) emphasised the need for greater commitment to gender equality, urging the Government, civil society, the private sector, faith-based organisations, media, and citizens to allocate more resources to combating violence against women and girls.
This call is in response to growing empirical evidence that women and girls remain the majority targets of GBV.
November 25 serves as a powerful reminder that violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally. It is estimated that 736 million women worldwide are subjected to physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both, at least once in their lifetime.
The 2024 theme for the UNiTE Campaign, “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” underscores the need for continued global commitment to eradicating GBV. This theme highlights the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark document adopted in 1995 that serves as a “Bill of Rights” for women, addressing issues such as poverty, education, health, violence, economy, and decision-making.
ZGC noted that Zimbabwe has made significant strides in addressing areas of the Beijing Declaration, such as improving access to education, advancing gender equality in decision-making, and implementing laws to combat GBV.
However, the Commission stressed that while there is a robust legal and constitutional framework supporting women’s rights, there remains a pressing need for stronger enforcement and greater investment in violence prevention and survivor support.
“The Constitution of Zimbabwe guarantees equality and non-discrimination, personal security, and protection from violence, aligning with international commitments like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). However, challenges persist, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, with issues such as early child marriages, under-representation of women in leadership, and economic hardships continuing to hinder gender equality,” said ZGC.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign serves as a global initiative to galvanise collective action against gender-based violence, with the Zimbabwean launch emphasising the government’s commitment to addressing violence against women and girls. Local leaders, activists, and community members gathered to promote gender equality, support survivors, and mobilise resources for the eradication of GBV.
As the campaign progresses, ZGC urged all sectors of society to remain engaged and committed to tackling GBV, calling for a united effort to ensure that women and girls in Zimbabwe and beyond live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.
The Commission also highlighted the growing concern of Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), which manifests in cyberstalking, online abuse, and harassment. Womenkind Worldwide reports that between 16-58 percent of women and girls worldwide have experienced TFGBV, a statistic that underscores the rising threat of digital abuse.
With new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), facilitating online violence, there are significant gaps in legal frameworks to prevent and address TFGBV, presenting a critical challenge for policymakers and activists alike.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence serves as an opportunity to reflect on progress, but also to highlight the ongoing struggles and call for continued action, investment, and collaboration to end violence against women and girls in Zimbabwe and globally.