Statement by the NYDT on 16 days of activism against gender based violence

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.

Young women in Magwegwe speak out on low participation.

Women have often taken the back seat particularly when it comes to participation in national processes and civic programming. This is largely prevalent in Africa where women have blamed culture for silencing them; as women are viewed as inferior and are not accorded space to air their views.

At a young women’s study circle organized by the National Youth Development Trust in the western suburb of Magwegwe, young women spoke out on why they do not actively participate in national processes and civic programming.

Young women call for increase in resource allocation to VFUs

Young women in Bulawayo have called for the increase of manpower and allocation of more resources to the Victim Friendly Units (VFU) of all police stations, as a way of facilitating easier reporting of cases of gender-based violence.

Speaking at a young women’s round table meeting to commemorate 16 days of activism against gender based violence, the young women said that although the introduction of the VFUs by government was a noble idea, a lot still needed to be done, particularly with regards to channelling more resources to the unit to make it more efficient.