THE United Kingdom embassy is set to launch a £500 000 programme aimed at tackling violence against women and girls in Zimbabwe, underscoring growing international support for gender protection initiatives.
The programme will be officially unveiled on Wednesday by UK ambassador to Zimbabwe Pete Vowles on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) 2026 in Bulawayo.
The initiative brings together women’s organisations and private sector partners to develop community-driven solutions to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
In a media advisory, the British embassy in Harare said the programme sought to strengthen collaboration between grassroots organisations and the corporate sector in addressing the causes and consequences of violence against women and girls.
“The programme seeks to strengthen collaboration between grassroots organisations and the private sector in addressing the root causes and consequences of violence against women and girls,” the statement read.
The launch will be held at the Small City Hall.
Vowles is expected to outline UK’s broader participation and priorities at ZITF 2026 during a media engagement. He will later visit the Emthonjeni Women’s Forum, a local organisation focused on women empowerment and protection.
ZITF, one of Zimbabwe’s key annual economic exhibitions, attracts diplomats, investors and development partners and is used as a platform to announce major co-operation initiatives.
The UK-funded programme comes amid rising concern over gender-based violence in Zimbabwe, with stakeholders calling for coordinated responses combining policy reform, community action and private sector engagement.
