Leave no one behind, end VAW


Lazarus Sauti

Violence against Women (VAW), a gross violation of human rights, is a barrier to the attainment of gender equality as well as the actualisation of social and economic endeavours as it erodes the survivor’s ability to participate in development efforts, says the Forum for African Women Educationalists – Zimbabwe Chapter (FAWEZI). The United Nations (1993), in the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women defines VAW as any act of gender-based violence that results or is likely to result in sexual, physical or psychological suffering to women.

Facets of VAW

In an interview with 263Chat, FAWEZI national coordinator Lydia Madyirapanze said VAW happens in both the private and public sphere and there are many forms of VAW. “There are many facets and/or forms of VAW, taking in sexual, emotional and physical abuse by intimate partners, family members or others,” she said, adding that VAW includes sexual harassment and abuse by authorities like police personal, employers, and educators.” Other facets of VAW include trafficking for forced labour or sex in addition to cultural practices like virginity testing, child marriages and female genital mutilation.  

Costs of VAW

Madyirapanze said VAW is a setback of pandemic proportions as it is estimated than one in three women will be a victim of VAW in her lifetime. She added that one in three girls in the country is married before her 18th birthday. Sharing the same sentiments, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that globally 64 million young women (20-24 years) are married before the age of 18 years. “According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Violence against Women kills and disables as many women between the ages of 15 and 44 as cancer does,” she said, adding that its toll on women’s health surpasses that of traffic-related accidents as well as Malaria combined. Madyirapanze also said the socio-economic costs of VAW are not only colossal, but have momentous ripple effects throughout society.  “VAW causes pain and suffering, poor health and financial strain for those directly involved. This, therefore, means the continuation of VAW is a barrier to reducing poverty, attaining gender equality as well as meeting Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

FAWEZI information officer Nqobile Nkiwane added that VAW hinders national production since it is occurring amongst people in the productive age group. “We are concerned about the increase in cases of gender based violence,” she said, adding, “The unnecessary loss of life, grievous and irreversible harm being occasioned on victims of gender based violence are stalling socio-economic development in this country.”

Scaling-up programmes

Madyirapanze believed scaling up programmes is of paramount importance, a fact supported by Ministry of Women Affairs Harare East District head Rena Sakubende, who Also said: “To address Violence against Women, there is need to scale-up programmes as well as enhance availability and access to anti-gender based violence support services such as safe houses and economic empowerment of victims and would be victims. Furthermore, continuous monitoring and review of the enforcement and implementation of anti gender based violence strategies and documentation of best practices by the government and other stakeholders should be prioritised.”

Male involvement is crucial

Padare programmes officer Simbarashe Deremeti asserted that the promotion of male involvement is the fight against all forms of violence is crucial if the country is to end VAW and attain Sustainable Development Goals. “Men are important players in the evolution of the gender equality movement. As strategic decision-makers at the global, regional, national, community, family, and individual levels, they hold the key to ensuring gender equality and the elimination of all forms of violence,” he said.

Multistakeholder approach the way to go

Gender activist, Emmanuel Gasa urged all stakeholders to join hands and speak with one voice to end VAW. “The onus is Zimbabweans to ensure that they act against gender based violence in their environment by being vigilant and reporting to the police, cases of GBV and helping survivors seek the necessary help,” he said. Sharing the same sentiments, arts practitioner, Antony Tongani urged stakeholders to use films to disseminate information that protect and propagate girls and women’s rights.

Nkiwane added: “Violence against Women is a barrier to the attainment of gender equality as well as the actualisation of social and economic endeavours as it erodes the survivor’s ability to participate in development efforts. Multi-sectoral approaches involving enhancing access to health services, legal services and social protection systems for survivors of gender based violence should be strengthened. We should leave no one behind.”

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