ZIMBABWE has partnered the African Union (AU) to combat violence against women and girls across Africa while aiming to prevent, punish and thwart all forms of violence that can be perpetrated against them.
Speaking during a national stakeholder consultative meeting on the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls this week, Women's Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development permanent secretary Mavis Sibanda said the on going initiative on gender-based convention transcends borders, cultures and societies
She hailed the AU Heads of State for calling for the development of the continent’s home-grown Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls.
Sibanda said the African Convention created a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of women and girls across the continent.
“It will allow us to tailor our approaches to the unique cultural, social, and economic contexts of our African nations. By grounding the convention in our shared values and traditions, we can ensure that it resonates with the communities it aims to protect,” she said.
The initiative fosters regional solidarity and collaboration among African nations’ leading role in the global fight against violence towards women and girls, positioning the continent as a proactive force in addressing human rights issues and setting an example for other regions to follow.
“The government is participating in the negotiation processes on the development of the convention at the African Union together the with civil society organisations from Zimbabwe,” Sibanda said.
“It is essential to recognise that Zimbabwe, as a proud member of the African Union, must ensure that the aspirations and priorities of our people are not only heard but actively integrated into the development of this Convention.”
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