Illicit alcohol stoking gender based violence

Heany Junction in Umguza District, Matebeleland North Province, is grappling with a surge in gender-based violence (GBV), fueled in part by the widespread availability of illicit alcohol, local residents and officials say.

The issue came to light during a community gathering on Tuesday at Heany Junction grounds to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, observed from 25 November to 10 December. The event drew villagers, government officials, gender activists, traditional leaders, and survivors of GBV.

Speaking at the gathering, resident Patience Ncube Sibanda described how illicit brews, known locally as njengu, contribute to domestic violence. "The father of my children and husband is very sweet when he comes home after drinking amasese (opaque beer), but he becomes aggressive when he drinks njengu," she said. "Njengu is being sold right in the villages and is accessible even to children. We are seeing a rise in Gender-Based Violence here at Heany Junction, with husbands assaulting their wives and children, often while drunk."

Mrs Sibanda explained that villagers have established reporting mechanisms where victims can approach local leaders, who then intervene. Police are only called in when victims sustain injuries. However, she noted that many cases are withdrawn before court proceedings, often because women depend on their partners for financial support. She also urged the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to raid homesteads selling illicit alcohol, warning that early-morning drinking contributes to domestic tensions when men fail to provide for their families.

Other community members also voiced concerns. Peter Mabhena, a 66-year-old resident, highlighted the growing trend of GBV among young couples. "These young men spend their days drinking and expect their spouses to respect them even when they fail to take care of their families," he said.

The event also addressed the rising threat of digital violence, the international theme for this year's campaign being "UNITE! To End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls." Local councillor Busisiwe Brown warned that many villagers are unknowingly committing crimes by circulating nude images of former partners online. She highlighted instances where women share compromising images of love rivals as a form of retaliation, stressing that such actions constitute digital GBV and can result in imprisonment. Clr Brown added that men are also victims of GBV and their cases deserve attention.

The commemorations included community dialogues to raise awareness about the various forms of GBV, both physical and digital. Last week, a roadshow in Bulawayo at Sokusile Business Centre and Makokoba marked the start of the campaign, which focuses on mobilising collective action to dismantle the structural, cultural, and institutional barriers that perpetuate violence and exclusion.

Residents of Heany Junction continue to call for stronger enforcement against illicit alcohol sales and broader community engagement to curb the rise of GBV in the district.