Let’s fight GBV all year round- WCoZ Kariba

ZIMBABWE: Women Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) – Kariba Chapter carried out an informative and educative campaign against gender-based violence GBV in Kariba recently.

WCOZ’s stakeholders were present during the walk and the majority of these stakeholders were government ministries (Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Youth, District Development Coordinator, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, Zimbabwe Republic Police-Kariba, and Municipality of Kariba a local authority).

Non-governmental stakeholders included AWET and Tony Waite

All these came together for a common cause, denouncing gender-based violence and early child marriages.

Asmini Chikukwa, a WCoZ member, said, “It is high time we stopped the violence in our homes and spread love. Let’s fight GBV all year round (365 days), and everyone must teach the effects of GBV to the perpetrators and victims.”

“Let's support victims and build confidence, be a shoulder to a victim and where possible refer them to the Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) at the police stations.”

Mao Wenga from Tony Waite said, “Parents, protect your children from early child marriages, teach them the negative impacts of immature marriages and unwanted pregnancies because that’s where gender-based violence starts (early marriages owing to hardships faced once in an unplanned marriage as a result of early pregnancies).”

Ropafadzo Makuvaze from the Ministry of Women’s affairs informed the community of Kariba on Section 56 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.

She emphasized the implications of violation of women, men, boys, and girls’ rights in the context of barring violence against women and girls.

Men were also involved in the campaign and they actively participated in advising fellow male counterparts to stop GBV and child marriages.

Participants said this is a step towards curbing GBV because several male residents joined the walk and some of them asked for a chance to speak; for example, at Nyamhunga Market a man came from the market to speak against violence and child marriages.

The coalition is playing a vital role in fighting against violence and inequalities.