Men and women must work together to eradicate GBV.
By Memory Mudzani.
Gender based violence has always been a case and trauma to each and every individual worldwide but it seems as if men are being left out. Recently, the world was commemorating sixteen days of activism against gender based violence, organizations, companies and individuals were advocating for protection of women and girls against GBV, leaving people with a question “Are men are also affected by GBV?”
In an interview with Kwedu News,Takudzwanashe Samhembere,a youth Advocate for Sustainable development goals said “for us to understand the importance of achieving SDG number five, that is gender equality, we need to eradicate all forms of violence, all forms of abuse torwads each and every human being without leaving anyone behind”.
Samhembere further said that a lot of men are really suffering from gender based violence even though it is not statically proven because men are not reporting their cases and this has created a huge gap for the world to achieve gender equality, most women organizations host various workshops on gender based violence but they do it without the inclusion of men and if men are not included in such platforms there is no achievement of gender violence eradication goals.
Alice Tagwira from Zheera Trust, a women based organization, urged both men and women to make noise and condemn all acts of gender based violence in every way.
“Let’s make noise and condemn all acts of violence in every way, I personally have committed to using my social media platforms to raise awareness and also music to amplify the voice of the victims of GBV” said Tagwira
Tagwira said that men are encouraged to join movements to end gender based violence as they are also victims of GBV, everyone must be part of the national dialogues throughout the country to allow communities to speak freely about gender based violence.
“The society must also believe the person who reports GBV, listen with compassion and not judge but to offer them practical support, such as accompanying the person to the police station” said Tagwira
Tagwira said it is important to always create a comfortable and safe environment for everyone, to love, respect and protect each other
In a press release that was issued out by Zimbabwe Republic Police Midlands province assistant inspector Fungai Ngawagare, the police encourages members of the public to be safe, to avoid being at risk or being exposed to GBV and also not withhold any information that may save a victim of GBV to obtain justice.
The police also said that the public must always remember that they are the mouthpiece of the silenced victim or survivor of GBV.
Kwedu Classics
Your story our story.