By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, has addressed the persistent issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV Campaign in Matabeleland South calling for urgent action to address the scourge.
The Minister highlighted that, despite annual campaigns aimed at raising awareness and creating change, statistics reveal that many women and girls continue to be victimized by violence, sparking concern across the nation.
“Despite the progress made over the past three decades, we continue to witness alarming rates of gender-based violence. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey has shown that 42.5% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime,” Minister Mutsvangwa stated.
She pointed out that Matabeleland South Province has the highest reported cases of GBV in the country.
“We have also heard from the Provincial Minister and other speakers that GBV is equally pervasive here in Matabeleland South,” she added.
The Minister emphasised that these statistics reflect the lives of individuals, mothers, sisters, friends, and children whose experiences have been irrevocably altered by GBV.
“These cases are not just numbers; they call for quick action to mitigate their devastating impact,” she insisted.
Mutsvangwa urged all responsible stakeholders to actively engage in creating communities where violence is not tolerated, where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.
“This calls for the nation, Matabeleland South Province, and the Umzingwane District in particular, to reinvigorate efforts in the fight against gender-based violence and recommit to the principles set out in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as other regional and international frameworks aimed at combating violence against women and girls,” she declared.
In addressing misconceptions around cultural values and their relation to GBV, Minister Mutsvangwa firmly rejected the notion that such values condone violence.
“Our cultural values and practices have never condoned violence. However, we have some unscrupulous individuals in our communities who hide behind culture to justify their acts of violence. The time to stand against these individuals and demand accountability is now,” she asserted.
Minister Mutsvangwa’s powerful remarks serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence, urging collective action to foster a safer environment for all individuals.
The 16 Days of Activism Campaign, running from November 25 to December 10, aim not only to raise awareness but also to galvanise communities to take meaningful steps towards ending violence against women and girls.