CDCs says No to GBV

MAYA joins the 2022 commemoration of the 16 days of Activism against GBV together with all the progressive forces In Zimbabwe and across the world. The commemorations are running under the theme: “UNiTE Activism to End Violence against Women & Girls”. We choose to unite and form a formidable movement with like-minded entities, individuals, and stakeholders locally, nationally and all the corners of the world to fight and eliminate the scourge of GBV against women and girls in all its forms. MAYA like other stakeholders is aware that VAWG is the most common and ubiquitous form of violence and ultimately human rights violation on earth today driven by various variables such as negative masculinity, harmful cultural and religious practices, poverty, weak institutions, wars and other conflicts caused by climate change and poor social service delivery all conspire against the fight against GBV against women and girls. Inequality and poverty all have a female face for obvious reasons.

This year’s commemorations come after pushback on successes that had been achieved over the years by the advent of Covid-19 where priorities were directed towards the global pandemic which wreaked havoc and for two years managed to lock down the world. It can only be through unity that the rollback experienced will be resisted and put to a stop because GBVAWG undermines opportunities for women forfeiting their inert ability to fully utilize their capabilities and realize their full potential.

Current statistics in Zimbabwe on GBV show that 1 in 3 women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, and about 1 in 4 women have experienced sexual violence. According to the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC), at least 22 women are raped daily in Zimbabwe that is every 75 minutes or one hour and fifteen minutes a case of rape happens. On average 646 women are sexually abused monthly while 1in 3 girls is raped or suffers some form of sexual abuse by the time they reach 18 years.

MAYA is alive to the fact that 2022 has not just been a violent period, it has been bloody, very bloody. It’s awash with the blood of defenceless women who were murdered in cold blood. The case of one devil incarnates Bright Zhantali a psycho serial killer and rapist who has no competition in the hall of infamy. He butchered twenty four women and still counting. It’s surprising the nation has been quiet about this as if it’s a normal day. These are the issues that WE MUST UNITE AGAINST AND FIGHT. How can a nation be silent when some psychopaths engage some sport hunting sorties to kill women? Nine year olds getting pregnant and society is not angry, is this not sign of a dysfunctional society? This is a clear case which shows how societies have normalized GBV. As MAYA, we refuse to legitimize this narrative and take this opportunity to SPEAK OUT LOUD AGAISNT GBVAWG.

Women and girls with disabilities face an even greater risk of violence, as they experience discrimination, exclusion, and isolation that heighten barriers to their rights. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a profound and widespread problem in Zimbabwe, impacting almost every aspect of life, and has deeply entrenched in institutions, cultures, and traditions. As we are moving towards the 16 days of Activism to end Violence against women and girls.

With the informalized economy and the advent of artisanal gold mining in Zimbabwe in gold-rich areas such as Penhalonga, Chimanimani, and Odzi and diamond mining areas such as Chiadzwa, women are treated as expendable commodities further exposing them to sexual, physical, and emotional violence. The extractive sector especially mining has become a curse for women instead of a blessing. This sector especially artisanal gold mining (chigweja) according to the Zimbabwe Gender Commission report is the biggest contributor to child marriages in the country.

Countering impunity, silence, stigma, and shame surrounding GBV is an important step toward supporting women and girls to lead more prosperous societies and engagement of men and boys. This must be accompanied by improved social and economic opportunities so that women and girls can fulfill their educational and professional goals, and achieve economic independence through better access to decent work opportunities and social protection coverage, as well as to decision-making spaces and meaningful participation therein. Alongside these efforts, men and boys must not be left out, they must step up. They can begin where they live. It is an uncomfortable truth that for some women and girls rather than being a place of safety, as it should be, home can be deadly.

Therefore MAYA asks that we all, in our ways, resist the rollback of women’s rights, and amplify the voices of women.  We can all be advocates and our voices combined can drive the change we seek. In doing so, we must also ensure the promotion of women’s and girls’ full and equal leadership and participation at all levels of political, policy-making, and decision-making spaces. Accelerated progress toward ending violence against women and girls is just one of the dividends. Secondly, we ask for the strengthening of protection mechanisms for women human rights defenders and women’s rights activists. No one anywhere, ever, should face violence or harassment for standing up for what is right and calling for what is necessary. The Zimbabwe Gender Commission as a chapter 4 institution must step up and lead, just presenting reports from Harare will not challenge the status quo.

As we commemorate the 16 days of Activism against gender-based violence, we want to remind society of the inherent dignity of women and girls in Zimbabwe. Our goal is to have a world where violence against women and girls is not just condemned but stopped is possible. By pushing forward together we can attain it.

We pledge to UNiTE and Act against GBV. WE Pledge to NEVER KEEP SILENT, WE WILL SPEAK OUT LOUD. We pledge solidarity.

Are you facing any Gender-Based Violence? Call our numbers +263772351138 / +2637758022968

Email: manicayouthassembly@gmail.com

Our website: https://manicayouth.org

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