By Nyasha Dube – Civil Society Organisations in Zvishavane say there is need to take an inclusive approach when tackling issues around Gender Based Violence (GBV).
This comes at a time when the whole world is currently commemorating 16 days of activism against GBV, which run from the 25th of November to 16 December every year.
In an interview, motivational speaker, development practitioner and director of Greatness Hub Ngonidzashe Sesemani said GBV remains a challenge in communities because of limited engagement of men, as most intervention strategies focus solely on women.
“Men are considered the major perpetrators of GBV against women, but we also need to understand that men can also be victims,” said Sesemani.
He added that development practitioners, CSOs and government need to work together in planning interventions that target men.
“Strategies meant for women are very clear, but when it comes to men the strategies tend to be haphazard. Let’s come up with a plan where we clearly say we will reach out to men at beer halls or their workplaces. We need to strike a balance,” he said.
He also emphasized on the need to empower boys rather than empowering the girl child alone.
“You find a case where an empowered girl is dating a boy who is not empowered. The end result is violence as the boy will feel undermined. This creates more problems,” said Sesemani.
GBV can be sexual, physical, verbal, emotional, mental or economic, inflicted in public or private.
Cases of GBV are also reported to have rapidly increased during the COVID-19 induced lockdown, as it was stemming from family conflicts, poverty, financial instability among other causes.
In most cultures, violence against girls and women has become a social norm and perpetrators are rarely held responsible.
In that light, Hands of Hope Trust challenged law makers and enforcers to reinforce stiffer penalties on perpetrators of GBV so as to send a clear message against violence.
“Proper policies on women rights must be drafted and implemented so that we can curb GBV,” said the organisation’s founder.
Nhutsve added that most women are vulnerable as they are into informal trading, and this led to the increase in GBV cases during lockdown.
“GBV increased during lockdown because incomes were cut so conflicts increased at household level,” she said.
She also proposed that more funds be allocated to help small scale businesses grow, to ensure economic self sufficiency.
This year’s 16 days of activism against GBV are being commemorated under the theme “Orange the world: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect”.