By Lloyd Takawira
As the world commemorates 16 day of activism against all forms of gender based violence, local women rights lobby group Shamwari Yemwanasikana has added flair to its campaign hosting a pool, snooker, dats and chess tournament at Unit F library in Chitungwiza .
The event dubbed, “The men’s cave – grilling gender-based violence” was graced by Ministry of Women Affairs officials, the department of social welfare, ZRP victims friendly unit, civic society as well as a representative from the Australian embassy.
Men and boys from Chitungwiza mixed and mingled while women played chess, snooker and darts.
Speaking to the event, Shamwari Yemwanasikana director, Ekenia Chifamba said as an organization they decided to host the campaign against GBV by involving men, a new phenomenal feet as mostly girls and women were usually engaged.
She said ,”This year we decided to celebrate 16 days of activism against gender based violence in style. We have given men and boys the room to participate. We realized that men play a critical role in changing behaviors. Men and boys play a leading role as perpetrators, hence by engaging them we thought it good in eradicating all form of gender based violence .
Chifamba added that by engaging men and boys through entertainment, games and exhibitions, they intend to educate men about the importance of protecting the girl child in a flexible way.
“As you can see we are having these games and entertainment so that man get to interact with women in a flexible manner. We thought most man love entertainment and games such as pool, we engaged them in their area, educating them against GBV,” she said .
Child rights ambassador, Chiedza Zungura through a very touching rendition narrated horrible predicaments that the girl child is facing.
“The girl child can’t breathe. As you are aware most communities have no portable running water. The girl child Is the one who is spending most of her time at boreholes were abuse of girls is a daily thing. Young girls are abused by man at boreholes. Some men and boys are molesting young girls in exchange for a bucket of water.”
She went on to explain how girls have been bearing the brunt of buying sanitary pads.
“After walking a long distance to fetch water, girls even in their periods have no sanitary wear. We appeal for the government to provide free sanitary wear.”
In his solidarity message, Mr Mutasa a represantative from the ministry of women affairs said, “as government we are aware of the plight of the girl child. The ministry is going to roll out empowerment projects for the girls in order to support and empower girls as we fight against GBV.”
A Zimbabwe republic police victims friendly unit representative encouraged participants mostly men and girls to end GBV by reporting perpetrators.
The lockdown period across the globe saw an exponential rise in gender bases violence case.
ZRP reported a spike in gender based violence cases during the year 2020 owing to lockdown induced predicaments.
