The City of Harare through the Social Services department on Wednesday in Harare Gardens commemorated the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV), an event which brought together residents and other Non-Governmental Organisations which include Shamwari YeMwanasikana (SYS), Childline Zimbabwe, Padare Men’s Forum on Gender and Musasa Project among others.
The event has given residents a possibility to understand better about gender based violence, how then can get assistance if any case of violence to occur. This was afforded as all the partners had their desks open to the public for consultations.
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In a message to mark the commemorations, City of Harare Head of Education and Social Services Mrs Lizzy Muchena called for collective efforts to eliminate the parasite saying communities should adopt it as a lifestyle to speak out any form of exploitation.
“GBV is a global public health and human rights priority. Let us all work together to fight against gender based violence. You should speak out any form of violence,support the survivors and those affected by violence. Know what your workplace policy say about gbv, together we will stop gender based violence,” she said.
Padare Enkundleni Men’s Forum on Gender Programmes assistant Leeroy Vingi encouraged men and boys to seek assistance in forms of advice and counselling whenever they experience exploitation saying gbv has also been affecting men.
“As Padare we are here to advocate for the protection of rights. We offer services to men including victims of GBV. The society became quick to conclude that men do not suffer from exploitation but that is only a myth. We are saying men come and utilize our services also I want to encourage men to be the champions of equality in societies,” he said.
Young girls movement Shamwari YeMwanasikana Programmes officer Spiwe Dzindimu called for more economic empowerment to be availed for young women and girls saying that they already started empowering the girl child with self sustaining skills which include detergent making.
“As SYS we are always committed to defend the rights of the girl child and as part of the advocacy role we have started teaching them detergent making and we are also distributing world children’s prize magazines for free that consist all the information that they would love to know in relation to children’s rights among others,” she said.
Meanwhile, China Zimbabwe Exchange Centre Deputy General Manager Ashleigh Chembe said that education is key to empower the girl child so that she do not become more vulnerable to gender based violence.
She added that they have already introduced a scholarship programme which aims to benefit underprivileged girls by affording them an opportunity to learn in China.
“So we are working with 20 Council Primary Schools where we give scholarships to 200 students and we also work with tertiary institutions. This year’s theme resonates with what we are doing whereby we are empowering young girls and boys.
Through education young people will get that knowledge that they have to stand up and defend their rights,”said Chembe.
The global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence is a vital international moment to call for an end to violence against women and girls running from 25 November until 10 December.
This year’s edition is running under the theme “UNITE! Invest to prevent Violence against women and girls”.
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The entertainment was powered by the City of Harare music band which has been preaching unity, peace and love through its artistic pieces of music.
