BULAWAYO Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube says a collective effort is needed if communities are to successfully combat the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV).
Her sentiments come at a time when Zimbabwe has joined the world in commemorating “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence”, an international campaign against GBV.
The campaign runs every year from 25 November, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women up to 10 December; Human Rights Day.
This year’s theme is “All Lives Matter! End Gender-Based Violence Now!”
Speaking during an event to mark this year’s commemorations in Bulawayo on Friday, Minister Ncube appealed to different stakeholders to come together and play their part saying the fight against GBV requires team effort and participation from all parties.
“In order to fight and get rid of GBV in our communities, there is a need for society to come together to solve the greatest problem we are facing,” she said.
“The issue we are addressing of GBV is not only affecting women but it is also affecting men as well as children. There is a need for everybody to play his or her part in stopping GBV.”
Minister Ncube blamed alcohol and drug abuse for some of the GBV cases.
She said the increasing cases of minors being raped was a cause for concern.
“What has become of our society, what is causing the increase in cases of rape andabuse of minors in our society? We cannot sit idle while our society is being reduced to nothing due to criminal and violent behaviours. Let us put our heads together and get rid of this demon that has befallen us,” said Minister Ncube.
“What are our children learning from all these things that are happening today? Where are these people getting the strength and courage to indulge in sexual activities with minors.”
Minister Ncube said what is more disheartening about the cases of minors being raped is that in most cases parents and guardians who are supposed to protect them are the culprits.
She said children were the future of the country hence they need to be taught well and protected.
City of Bulawayo principal gender safety and health officer, Mrs Audrey Manyemwe, said youths must be involved in such campaigns so that they are aware of their rights.
“We need youths in these campaigns if we are to end the scourge of GBV. You cannot teach a grown up person new values hence the need to catch them young,” she said.
Speaking at the same event, Law Society of Zimbabwe Bulawayo constituency counsellor, Nikiwe Ncube-Tshabalala, urged victims of GBV and rape to speak out.
She said often victims do not speak out but choose to protect their abusers because of their relationship.
“We have had many cases of victims of GBV not speaking out and at times even when their abusers have been reported, they continue to protect them from the hands of the law. At times they fear to ruin the image of their families or their partners thereby putting their lives at risk,” she said.
Ms Ncube-Tshabalala said society cannot just watch while losing its loved ones to abuse.
The event was attended by representatives of different organisations such as the Law Society of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, Africa Ahead, Plan International, Zimbabwe Human Rights and Zimbabwe Gender Commission among other stakeholders. – The Chronicle
