THE Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) joined partners at the GBV Indaba this week to unveil an accountability report tracking the High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, with calls for faster action on male engagement, religious and traditional leadership, and disability
inclusion.
The indaba panel reflected on gains and gaps since the HLPC launch, urging the government to match political will with resources and grassroots delivery.
HLPC was developed as a strategic initiative for an effective response by the Government of Zimbabwe, in partnership with key stakeholders, towards the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls at national and subnational levels.
It aims for increased high-level political will, commitment and accountability to eliminate violence against women and girls, as well as accelerate action at grassroots, subnational and national levels.
Speaking at the GBV Indaba, WCoZ said the accountability review was critical to ensure the HLPC “translates into improved service delivery and inclusive local development” rather than remaining a paper commitment.
“We are assessing the HLPC from male engagement, religious and traditional perspectives, disability and inclusion lenses, while providing accountability recommendations to the government,” the organisation said during the panel.
According to reports, the HLPC was launched in October 2021 under the Spotlight Initiative, a global EU-UN partnership to eliminate violence against women and girls by 2030.
The first anniversary in 2022 offered Government and partners a chance to reflect on achievements, including the rollout of the Public Service Sexual Harassment Policy, development of child and victim friendly courts, and establishment of national SGBV call centres and One-Stop Centres.
According to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (2015), at least 13% of women have experienced physical violence and at least 13% have experienced sexual violence.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) notes that GBV increases in times of crisis, with emerging data showing a sharp rise in violence against women and girls during COVID-19.
In lockdown, Musasa recorded over 700 GBV cases in 11 days.
WCoZ, as part of a coalition including the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence, Zimbabwe Council of Churches, and AWLN Zimbabwe, has been advocating for a comprehensive Gender Equality Law to strengthen accountability mechanisms.
The law is an outstanding recommendation from the CEDAW Committee to Zimbabwe.
Community-level work continues under the Spotlight Initiative.
In Makonde district, behaviour change facilitators use WhatsApp and PPE to maintain GBV prevention and response during COVID-19 lockdowns.
In Umzingwane, leadership sensitisation meetings have led to more GBV cases being reported to service providers, with the Victim Friendly Unit confirming they are handling more cases since the meetings started.
To date, more than 17 000 GBV survivors have been reached with services through One Stop Centres set up by UNFPA and partners.
However, UNFPA highlights that in mining communities, women face heightened GBV risks due to lack of basic services like water and healthcare, poverty from mine closures, and harmful cultural practices.
“The HLPC can help to increase budget on gender-based violence prevention services, which is critical to reduce the immense health, legal and productivity costs that the country continues to incur,” UN resident co-ordinator Maria Ribeiro said at the HLPC launch.
The GBV Indaba’s accountability report pushes for that budget shift, alongside stronger male engagement, faith and traditional leader involvement, and disability inclusion to ensure the Compact moves from high-level promise to everyday protection for women and girls.