By Staff Writer
A total 31 women were murdered in Zimbabwe as cases of Gender Based Violence continue to escalate in the country, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has revealed.
The glaring stats come on the back official records showing that in Zimbabwe, at least 1 in every 3 women (15 – 49) have experienced physical violence (35%) while 1 in every 5 women (17%) have experienced sexual violence.
In most cases, perpetrators are intimate partners.
Other harmful practices such as child and early and forced marriages, which constitute a serious violation of the sexual, reproductive and health rights of women and girls in Zimbabwe, leading to higher rates of early pregnancy and increased risks of exposure to HIV/AIDS and high level of maternal mortality.
In an update this week, police revealed that a staggering 16 444 GBV cases and 31 deaths of women were recorded since January 2023 with men cited as the major perpetrators
The stats also show that close to 500 men have approached the Padare/Enkundleni Men’s Forum for counselling this year, with economic and emotional abuse cited as reasons for their involvement in gender-based violence (GBV).
Police this week revealed that a staggering 16 444 cases and 31 deaths of women were recorded since January with men cited as the major perpetrators.
National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi revealed that 2 463 cases of abused men were also recorded this year.
“Every day, women, and girls experience violence because of their gender. Certain groups, such as women living in rural and remote communities and women with disabilities, are at even greater risk to experience Gender Based Violence. This is unacceptable!” said Canada’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Adler Aristilde.
“This year and every year Canada join the global 16 Days activism campaign to end sexual and gender-based violence. Canada stands with its partners here today and calls on others to join us and raise awareness to end sexual gender-based violence in Zimbabwe and everywhere. It is everyone’s responsibility to act against gender-based violence regardless of whether it’s physical, emotional, financial, or sexual violence.”
With the support of various funding and technical partners the MWACSMED is coordinating efforts in the country to address this problem through various programmes and initiatives.
