The Government of Zimbabwe has taken a leading role in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence and has officially launched the 2016 campaign to be held under the theme ‘Peace from Home to Peace in the World’.
Addressing the media in Harare on Wednesday, Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Nyasha Chikwinya said the campaign seeks to raise awareness against Gender Based Violence, (GBV) especially on women and girls.
“The 25th of November 2016 marks the beginning of 16 days against gender based violence which is internationally recognized. As Zimbabwe we join the rest of the world in ending GBV by sharing ideas to address GBV throughout the 16 days,” she said
Minister Chikwinya said the commemorations will provide a forum for stakeholders working on gender based violence, to dialogue and share new strategies to end the vice.
Minister Chikwinya however saluted the United Nations for its involvement in the campaign to end GBV.
She urged man and boys to participate in the campaign, saying they are the perpetrators of GBV.
The 16 days of activism is an international campaign to raise awareness on gender based violence as a human rights issue calling for the eradication of all forms of violence against women?
This year the campaign focuses on three main types of violence: physical, sexual and psychological.
The UN’s sustainable development goal number five on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls seeks to end all forms of violence against all women by 2030. According to UN, violence against women and girls remains one of the most serious human rights violations.
