LETTICIA MAGOMBO
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has raised concern over the rising cases of gender based violence across the country.
“GBV remains both prevalent and vastly under-reported, as many survivors decide to suffer in silence rather than risk stigmatisation or due to lack of punitive and deterrent sentences. What is particularly saddening is the increase in rape cases of minors as well as increase in child marriages.
“We need to be cognisant of the fact that violence against women and girls is one of the most rampant human rights violations. In addition to devastating impacts on the dignity, security and well being of survivors, violence against women also has broad social and economic costs, including costs on public services, lost income and productivity,” ZGC said.
The commission urged the government to “complement the work that non-governmental organisations are doing by establishing more government run shelters throughout the country”.
“The commission will continue to engage government and other stakeholders to enact a legal framework, which provides for stiffer and deterrent penalties which include mandatory sentencing for rape ad other related sexual offences.
“Speaking at the 16 days of activism against GBV commemoration last week, ZGC chairperson, Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe said: “It is regrettable that we are commemorating the 16 days (November 25 to December 10) after getting media reports of two 9-year-old pregnant girls, one of whom has already given birth. A month ago, 15-year-old Nokutenda Hwaramba died during childbirth in circumstances like that of 14-year-old Anna Machaya, who died while giving birth at an Apostolic church shrine.”
