Gender based violence cases worry Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) says it is worried about cases of sexual abuse as well as domestic violence, given their devastating effects on victims as well as families.

The ZRP Manicaland branch held a provincial campaign against gender based violence underscoring that justice will prevail once cases are reported.

ZRP Officer Commanding Manicaland, Senior Assistant Commissioner Dorothy Kupara said they want to sound a collective call against gender based violence.

Headwoman Leah Mupambawashi said traditional courts are taking a no nonsense approach to cases of gender based violence.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence is an international campaign which takes place each year and runs from the 25th of November to the 10th of December.

Need to uphold African culture

Men have been challenged to uphold the African culture of respecting women and play a pivotal role in reducing cases of domestic violence in the country.

The country continues to witness increased gender based violence cases being reported each year with counselors attributing the decrease to improved knowledge of what is abuse.

Msasa Project counselor, Mrs Diana Sisipenzi said women now understand that when abused, they should report and seek help.

While women, girls, men and boys can be victims of gender based violence, Chief Pashu from Binga said cases handled by traditional leaders show that women and girls are the main victims of domestic violence.