Zimbabwe’s journey in the struggle against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a narrative that began long before it became a mainstream policy issue.
In the early post-independence years of the 1980s and 90s, the movement was almost entirely driven by the passion of civil society.
Pioneers like the Musasa Project stepped into the gap, breaking the silence on domestic abuse when it was still considered a "private family matter."
It took until the 2000s for the State to formalise this fight, resulting in the landmark Domestic Violence Act of 2007. Since the adoption of the 2013 Constitution, we have moved into an era of stronger institutional frameworks, yet the gap between policy and practice remains wide.
The current state of this struggle was recently laid bare at a high-level indaba hosted by the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ).
The workshop focused on a political compact to end GBV by 2030 and it was a privilege to engage with veteran gender champions such as Virginia Muwanigwa, the CEO of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and Ekenia Chifamba of Shamwari YeMwanasikana.
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The consensus among these leaders was clear GBV is not just a social ill, it is a fundamental human rights violation that acts as a handbrake on our national development.
The legislative progress highlighted at the indaba is, indeed, commendable.
We have seen the enactment of the Marriage Act of 2022, which finally criminalises the scourge of child marriage and the Cyber and Data Protection Act, which addresses the rising tide of online violence.
Combined with stricter sentencing for rape and the launch of the National GBV Strategy (2023-30), on paper, Zimbabwe appears well-equipped to protect its citizens.
These are essential tools in the quest for gender justice, providing a legal shield for women in both private and professional spaces.
However, a critical analysis reveals that this progress is under threat from several fronts.
First, the issue of sustainability is haunting NGOs. When the American government, during Donald Trump’s second term, moved to slash USAid funding, the impact was felt immediately in Zimbabwe.
Many organisations that provide essential services to survivors saw their budgets dwindle, proving that our safety should not be so heavily dependent on foreign political shifts.
Furthermore, we are still battling a deep-seated patriarchal mindset.
Cultural and societal values often continue to favour male dominance, which naturally leads to the dismissal of women’s rights and physical autonomy.
Perhaps the most controversial obstacle is the role of power and political interference.
We must be honest, justice in Zimbabwe is often skewed by the influence of the wealthy. Femicide and extreme violence against women are frequently perpetrated by men who have the resources to "buy" their way out of trouble.
By intimidating witnesses or forcing victims into private settlements, they effectively bypass the law.
In the digital age, this is worsened by "online vultures" social media sycophants who defend the powerful to gain favour, further silencing victims. This normalisation of corruption is a direct assault on the rule of law.
For Zimbabwe to truly eradicate GBV by 2030, we must move beyond rhetoric.
It is my firm belief that this goal is unreachable unless our religious, political and commercial systems stop working in silos and work in harmony.
Violence against women is not a sign of strength or authority, it is an act of cowardice and a crime against our common humanity.
If we are to secure a better future for the next generation of women, we must dismantle the systems that protect the perpetrator and neglect the victim. Only then will the "road so far" lead to a destination of genuine safety.