The
National Youth Development Trust joins the world in commemorating 16 Days of
Activism against Gender based violence. The campaign is aimed at raising
awareness on gender based violence as a human rights issue at local, national,
regional and International levels.
The
commemorations also provide a forum in which various organisations develop and
share effective strategies while demonstrating the solidarity of women around
the world in challenging violence against women. Gender based violence has profound socio-
economic consequences for all of society. It undermines the possibility of
gender equality and negatively affects women’s health care, education,
political and economic participation.
This
year the commemorations carry over the theme from last year, which is: From peace in the home to peace in the world:
Let’s challenge militarism and end violence against women. The theme
could not have been more fitting as it comes at a time when women are still the
major victims of gender based violence in Zimbabwe, and also when the country
is preparing for an election and cases of harassment by the militia and other
political players are expected to increase.
