Gvt, UNFPA scale up GBV fight 

TONDERAI SAHARO

HARARE–The Ministry of Women Affairs Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund have launched the ‘Women at the Centre Project’ that focuses on providing increased support to survivors of gender based violence (GBV) through quality case management.

Japanese Pharmaceutical Company, Takeda is supporting the project, which will be implemented over a four-year period.

 Zimbabwe is one of five countries that are part of the project other countries which will implement the project include Indonesia, El Salvador, Azerbaijan and Madagascar.

UNPFA innovation communications and visibility specialist, Bertha Shoko in a statement said the GBV is a huge problem in Zimbabwe affecting many women and girls.

“At least 49% of ever-married adolescent girls and women aged between 15-49 years have experienced some form of emotional, physical, or sexual violence committed by their current or most recent husband or partner.

“The Women at the Centre project seeks to ensure increased and sustained accessibility and availability of quality services for GBV survivors including those most marginalized; women and girls with disabilities; key populations and adolescent girls through increased GBV case management capacity and system strengthening,” she said.

This nationwide project will be piloted in Matabeleland North Province’s Bubi District and then will be spread to other provinces.

She said GBV is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world which knows no social, economic or national boundaries and undermines the health, dignity, security and autonomy of its victims, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of silence.

Minister of Women Affairs, Community and Small Medium Enterprise Development, Monica Mutsvangwa said piloting the  project in remote parts of the country will help policy makers to be informed on the  realities faced by women.

“Piloting in a district such as Bubi will inform us of the realities faced by survivors accessing services, especially in hard-to-reach areas. This gives a true reflection that we can replicate across the country in line with the country’s vision of leaving no one and no place behind.” Said Mutsvangwa.

Miranda Tabifor UNFPA country representative said achieving  prosperous economies begins by ending GBV.

 “Achieving gender equality and women’s well-being in all aspects of life is more crucial than ever if we want to create prosperous economies and a healthy planet and ending GBV is very critical in achieving this goal.

“As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development we are reminded that GBV remains the unfinished important agenda,” said Tabifor.

She added that the project will also act as prevention measure towards GBV by addressing the needs of women

  “The Women at the Centre project uses a holistic approach to address the pandemic of violence against women in Zimbabwe. It is not just about responding to GBV; it’s about preventing it. By empowering women, addressing their needs, and building strong support systems, we can create a safer and more just future for all” Tabifor said.

UNFPA said the project offers a multi-pronged approach which will include capacity building of specialized actors on GBV case management provision of life saving multi-sectoral survivor-centered GBV essential services such as mobile one stop centers, GBV hotline,  community based GBV risk mitigation and referral mechanisms such as safe spaces, community mobilization and GBV surveillance and referrals.