By Tafadzwa James-Chakala
In the gospel of Matthew chapter 5 vs 14-16, Jesus says,” you are like light for the world,” as the Methodist church illuminates light against the sexual gender-based violence to create a safe environment and communities, Reverand J. Paradza, the Safeguarding and Gender Officer, has said during the 34th Annual Conference held at Women’s Centre in Epworth running under the theme, “Let love lead.”
“As the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, we are together with the All-Africa Conference of Churches in saying no to all acts of gender-based violence and to all forms of abuse,” Reverend Paradza said.
With the exponential increase of gender-based violence in the world, the church has become a beacon of hope and light to fight against the violence. Reverend Paradza has encouraged the church to be united in saying “No,” to the acts of gender-based violence.
“Let us join hands together, as we say no to sexual gender-based violence, as we say no to all forms of abuse. As we say yes to safe communities, as we say yes to safe church environments, as we say yes to safe families,” the safeguarding and gender officer said.
Through the department of youth, the church is trying to create safe church environments, communities and families. The Presiding Bishop Reverend G.T. Makore, reinforced this commitment, affirming the church’s unwavering stance on safeguarding its members and ensuring a welcoming and abuse free environment.
“The Methodist church is a safe place for everyone and to support we are all against GBV. We are there to prevent violence against women and girls. Real men do not abuse women,” Reverend Makore said.
The wisest king in the Bible, Solomon, in his book,” The Ecclesiastes said,” There’s a time for everything,” in the same light, Bishop Mawire has said it is the time to change the narrative, no more GBV.
“Stand up, speak out against GBV and I say to you raise your voices, stop GBV as youth and members of the Methodist church,” Reverend Mawire has encouraged the church.
Through the support of Zimabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) , the church has blown a trumpet to fight against the spread of gender based violence. As the conference was lighted with t-shirts and placards showing in bold letters,” Let Love Lead, No to Gender Based Violence.”
