Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC’s) acting chairperson Obert Matshalaga says gender-based violence (GBV) was impacting negatively on productivity at work as victims are forced into absenteeism.
“GBV has been noted as a factor that perpetuates gender disparities and limits women's participation in economic sectors,” Matshalaga said during a Bulawayo provincial gender forum held under the theme: Gender and Economic Empowerment for Inclusive Economic Growth.
“Violence against women and girls creates economic costs which include reduced productivity due to absenteeism, reduced women’s participation in the labour market and losses related to higher demand for health and judicial services,” he said.
“According to UN Women (2016), the cost of violence against women amounts to US$1.5 trillion at the global level and in Zimbabwe a study conducted by SIDA in 2009 estimated that the Macro-Economic Cost of GBV amounts to US$2 billion.”
