THE Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development (MWAGCD) has expressed concern over the spike in cases of gender-based violence (GBV) and appealed to the corporate world and other stakeholders to come on board and support activities aimed at raising awareness on the vice. BY ALEXIS SIBANDA
Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Women Affairs acting provincial development officer Nthando Mhlanga yesterday said the main event for this year’s commemorations of 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence would be held on November 29 at the Large City Hall.
“Everyone should take part in this GBV commemoration because this issue is a cause for concern to each and everyone. Last year there were challenges in terms of attendance and this year we are hoping for the best,” he said.
“Various stakeholders advertise the services they provide in terms of GBV so that people will know where to go when they encounter that.” Mhlanga said the city had experienced a high rate of gruesome murders, which he said was a cause for concern and there was need to continue creating awareness for zero tolerance to all forms of GBV in Bulawayo.
“The objectives of the commemoration are to create awareness and widen knowledge on violence against women and girls, initiate solidarity across local communities for zero tolerance to all forms of gender-based violence and to exert pressure for political commitment to end violence against women and girls,” he said.
“We are expecting reduced GBV incidents in the city of Bulawayo, collaboration by stakeholders in GBV programming and to reduce new HIV infections.”
The department urged people to actively participate in this event especially the males because in most cases they are the perpetrators of GBV. The theme for the international commemoration says Together We Can End Gender-Based Violence in Education.
