Tag A Life International (TaLI) has called for the enforcement of laws and revamping of the justice system in fighting against the scourge of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
To address the rising cases of intimate partner violence, Zimbabwe enact a Domestic Violence Act in 2007 but 15 years late cases are still on the rise.
Domestic Violence is among the prominent cases of GBV inclusive of sexual abuse and child marriages.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) maintains that in Zimbabwe, about 1 in 3 women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence and about 1 in 4 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.
According to statics released by a Women’s Right Group, Musasa Project the number of GBV surged during the pandemic.
The statistics indicate that in 2019 they attended to about 20000 cases and 2021 the organization attended to 40000 cases, showing a fifty percent rise.
The sentiments from TaLI come at a time Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world to commentate the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.
The 16 days run from the 25th of November to 10 December every year to raise awareness and celebrate successes about the social ill.
In a statement released to observe the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, TaLI bemoaned the escalating cases of GBV amongst girls and the laws that allow children to carry a pregnancy to full term.
“ In Zimbabwe the rising of child rape cases by close relatives and family members are gravely alarming.
“When nine year olds give birth its a reflection of the laws that do not work for women and girls as well as a toxic society that preys on children.
“Zimbabwe has laws that protect women and girls under certain conditions to be relieved of carrying pregnancy to full term if it endangers the carrier of the pregnancy, a question is raised in this case on how as a society we allow a child to carry a child and live with such hypocrisy of saying such abortion is killing, have we not killed this 9 year old’s life?
“Parents need to empower children and build an open relationship discussing sex education for both protection and safety.
“ To end GBV, there is need to get everyone involved, while there should also be strong enforcement of such laws that prevent continued impunity,” read the statement.
Improve Justice System.
Furthermore, TaLI suggests that improving of the justice system is paramount to the eradication of violence against women and girls.
“TaLI encourages women and girls to take action against violence perpetrated against themselves and that of others, as well as encourages the government to revisit its laws and resource the police force to rapidly respond to cases of GBV.
“It calls upon a justice system revamp to uproot corruption that is refusing women and girls rights to hearing of their cases which has fostered such great impunity through the rampant corruption within the justice system.
Effects of GBV include; loss if life, physical injuries, unwanted pregnancies and exposure to HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.
The campaign against GBV which began in 1991 is this year running under the theme, “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”