SWEDISH ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lindgarde, has decried the alarming statistics of gender-based violence (GBV) and child marriages in Zimbabwe saying urgent action is required to end the vices.
Globally, a woman is killed every 10 minutes.
According to available statistics, in Zimbabwe, 22 women are raped daily; one woman is abused every 75 minutes and an average of 646 women are sexually abused each month.
One in three girls under 18 is married off.
“All these statistics represent more than just numbers,” he said.
“They reflect the lives of women and girls who are someone's mother, daughter, sister, niece or aunt-each suffering the pain and trauma of assault, rape, maiming or murder at the hands of a man or boy.
"Tragically, few are reported or brought to justice.”
He was speaking at a GBV Chief's Indaba organised by Population Solutions for Health at Kakora School in Mazowe yesterday.
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He said it was unfortunate that homes had become dangerous spaces for women and girls, where victims are killed by their partners.
Speaking at the same event, Paradzai Kutyauripo also known as Chief Negomo, said traditional leaders were against all forms of GBV.
"We also don't support child marriages which are prevalent in most of our jurisdictions,” he said.
Noah Taruberekera, executive director and managing trustee Population Solutions for Health, said GBV cases in Zimbabwe were alarming.
“The power to stop gender-based violence and child marriages in Zimbabwe lies in our hands,” Taruberekera said.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Gender Commission chairperson, Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe, yesterday said GBV violated human rights, threatened public health and doubled as a barrier to social and economic development.
She said men and boys were also targets for GBV, although recorded cases were fewer.
“We work diligently to investigate and address complaints of gender-based violence, provide support and protection to survivors and advocate for laws that promote gender equality and prevent violence," she said.
“We remain committed to ensuring that survivors of GBV seek justice and access the necessary support and we will continue working towards strengthening the legal and policy frameworks that govern GBV prevention and response.”
Mukahanana-Sangarwe was speaking at a GBV service providers fair held in Harare, jointly organised by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and the City of Harare.
"By fostering partnerships and establishing a co-ordinated referral pathway, this initiative ensures that all service providers are working together towards a common goal — ending GBV in our communities,” she said
