Concern over sharp rise in violence against women

SAMUEL NJINGA

A non-profit making organisation, Mwenezi Development Training Centre, has raised concern over a sharp rise in cases of violence against women, particularly sexual assault in Mwenezi district, in Masvingo Province.

Proximity to the border as well as the prevalence of highway truck drivers in the area along the Masvingo Beitbridge highway have become key drivers in perpetrating female exploitation in the district.

Exacerbating the situation was hunger and starvation in the district.

Illegal gold miners operating along the Lundi River banks have also become some of the agents of female exploitation in the area.

In an interview with Business Times Mwenezi Development Training Centre managing director, Promise Makoni, said it was critical to eradicate gender based violence.

“We want to address all the key drivers of gender based violence in the district. We have come to realise that most of the women do not have knowledge concerning their rights,” Makoni told Business Times.

He added: “We have come to learn that the majority of women lack information as far as their rights are concerned. Some women probably due to gender stereotypes as well as issues to do with patriarchy cannot distinguish between love and abuse. They are therefore easily abused and threatened. We are out to make sure that this comes to an end with immediate effect.”

Mwenezi Development Training Centre’s communications officer, Amos Batisai, said: “We are in a war.”

He added: “When you are entangled in a warfare you use anything that is at your disposal to fight. You will realise that in some areas we have embarked on providing education, awareness campaigns as well as embarking on projects that are meant to sustain various livelihoods. We are working together with traditional leaders as well as other stakeholders that include government departments and our funders.”