Memoirs of GBV survivors: Catholic Relief Services and Musasa pave way for healing

With tears rolling down her cheeks, Sarudzai* 34 recalls the fateful day she was struck by an axe on her right arm. Bleeding profusely with a deep cut, she battled for her life. She stares into blank spaces, avoiding eye contact and trying but all means to forget the horrific incident. By Tariro Mhute “I am sure that day he really wanted to kill me. I felt wounded outside and inside, my heart was bleeding too, my heart had been shredded into tiny bits and pieces. I kept asking myself…

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Love Shouldn’t Hurt Campaign Launched

THE Population Solutions for Health, an organization that spearheads innovation around Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and HIV has launched a campaign against gender-based violence called Love Shouldn’t hurt that is aimed at reducing intimate partner violence through engaging male peers to act as change makers in raising awareness against Gender Based Violence (GBV). By Patricia Mashiri Amongst the peers who have been engaged are Winky D, Holy Ten, Seh Calaz, Roki, Albert Nyathi footballer Hardlife Zvirekwi and Ammara Brown. Speaking during the launch, Honourable Jenifer Mhlanga, Deputy Minister of…

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ZUJ Conducts Gender Equity And Safety Training Workshop For Journalists

IN a move meant to bring gender equity and safety in the workplace, the Zimbabwe Union for journalists (ZUJ) recently conducted a gender safety workshop for both male and female journalists. By Patricia Mashiri Issues of gender inequality, harassment and abuse in newsrooms have been topical rooms females being the most affected ones. Speaking at the training Michael Chideme, The President of ZUJ said journalists should raise alarm over gender-based violence and harassment in newsrooms. I hope there are gender desks where journalists can raise these issues. Wherever we are…

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UN Agencies, Partners Hold GBV, HIV Training For Interfaith Organisations

THE Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) together with the UN Women, UNESCO and the National Aids Council (NAC) are hosting a tow day Virtual Capacity Training for Interfaith Network Members and Faith Based Organizations on Male Engagement for Training on Gender Based Violence and HIV. By Michael Gwarisa The training marks the third such event the organizations have jointly hosted in 2021 in a  move meant to equip leaders from various religious and interfaith groups with knowledge around GBV and HIV issues so as to reduce…

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Zimbabwe Needs A Sex Offenders Register Says Olinda Chapel

OLINDA Chapel, the Founder of Olinda Chapel Foundation which deals with safety of women and children has called on the government of Zimbabwe to scale up sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) prevention measures such as coming up with a register for sex offenders  so as to protect the girl child from sex predators and rapists. By Patricia Mashiri Speaking during a virtual meeting hosted by Zimpapers Television Network, Olinda said the country needs to start creating campaigns on raising awareness against young women and girl abuses which have been…

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Pachoto Band Launches Album On Gender Based Violence

 Pachoto music band which was adopted by Katswe Sisterhood has Launched an album titlded Tadambura Ngetani Staff Reporter  The album is comprised of song six tracks namely Zvandikona, Tinodamukana, Ngenzenjani, Veruwadzano, Mukereke and Tasumungurwa In an interview with this publication, Pachoto band Director Rumbidzai Tapfuma said Tadambura Ngetani is a project which is addressing issues which are being faced by women in churches. “Our album has six songs which are addressing difficult issues which are being face by women in churches we go to, as you know a lot of…

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Govt Urged To Create Decent Working Conditions For Women

GOVERNMENT has been urged to promote decent working conditions for women in the public sector as they carry the extra burden of social labor at home. By Fadzai Ndangana This came out in a virtual meeting organized by social justice movements- Action Aid Zimbabwe and Issues Pane Nyaya, where stakeholders were discussing the importance of decent work in the context of national development. Social labor at home is supposed to be paid for someone to do it but in Zimbabwe, civil servants cannot afford to pay that someone so in…

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Sister Accord Foundation Launches In Zimbabwe

THE Sister Accord Foundation has launched its African Chapter in Zimbabwe with the aim empowering, as well as build self-esteem in women and girls on the continent through economic empowerment and mentorship programs. By Michael Gwarisa Among some of the issues the Sister Accord strives to do include educating, enlightening girls of the Power of Sisterhood and also eradicating bullying and violence against girls and women.  The Sister Accord Foundation was started by Sonia Myles Jackson eight years ago. Speaking virtually during the launch, The Sister Accord Foundation founder and…

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Calls To Fast track Adoption Of The Marriage Bill Get Louder

THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on women affairs together with women and girls rights advocates and organizations have called for the speedy adoption of the marriages bill which classifies child marriage as a serious criminal offense so as to end child marriages. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during a virtual National Symposium on Child Marriages that was organized by Musasa Project, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development Chairperson, Honorable Chido Madiwa said the high prevalence of child marriages in Zimbabwe was inconsistent with the country’s goals and development…

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SAYWHAT Raises Alarm Over Spike In GBV Cases In Semester Marriages

THE Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) has raised concern over the prevalence of semester marriages which the organisation says are behind the rise in Gender Based Violence (GBV) and other Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) challenges amongst students. By Michael Gwarisa Speaking during the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organised World Population Day commemorations, SAYWHAT project coordinator Esinathy Sibanda said COVID-19 induced lockdown had also resulted in surge in GBV cases for semester marriages settings. Semester marriages are one of the things that students in tertiary…

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