By Staff Reporter
EUROPEAN Union (EU) ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann says the Western bloc stands ready to fill the vacuum set to be created by the cut back in donor support by the U.S.
The EU ambassador was speaking after the HeForShe march against GBV which was held in Harare Wednesday.
This comes at a time Zimbabwe faces uncertainty following newly-elected United States U.S President Donald Trump’s executive orders of reevaluating and realigning his country’s foreign aid.
“We are with you, yes we are with you and we support the efforts the government is doing to support against GBV,” he said.
Asked whether GBV programs in the country will be affected by the U.S.’s decision, Women Affairs Minister Monica Mutsvangwa relayed the question to Kirchmann who further assured support to Zimbabwe.
Kirchmann also said the EU has mobilised over US$300 million specifically for gender equality and combating gender-based violence in Zimbabwe.
“The European Union team together has mobilised over US$300 million for gender, equality and the fight against GBV in Zimbabwe only and I think you will see in the coming years lots of activities in that sense,” he added.
Ambassador of Canada to Zimbabwe Adler Aristide also weighed in saying his country will continue supporting Zimbabwe in the GBV fight.
“We are not going to question the U.S in their decisions, we will have to see what they decide to do in three months but Canada will be here to continue their support and commitment to this cause,” Aristide said.
The U.S. through USAID funds many GBV programs in Zimbabwe which will be affected if it ceases operations for good.
