By Staff writer
WOMEN have been urged to be decisive when reporting Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases as often times they tend to be masters of their own demise by not fully utilizing the legal route.
This came out during the 16 Days of Activism against GBV commemorations hosted by the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) in Gweru on Wednesday.
Addressing the gathering Midlands principal court interpretor, Malungelo Madumo said at times women are the biggest detractors of the fight against GBV.
He added that the majority of perpetrators go unpunished because women withdraw cases at the Magistrates’ Court.
“At times women are their own biggest enemies,” Madumo said.
“They bear the brunt of GBV the most and yet they do not want to see their perpetrators get punished.
“We’re often times left wondering how to assist GBV survivors, a lot of them report cases to the police.
“Sadly when the cases reach our courts, you hear that the matter has been withdrawn before justice has been served.”
He urged survivors of GBV to utilize the legal channels available in order to deter would be offenders.
“Make use of the legal channels available by reporting and allowing the cases to go through the system,” encouraged Madumo.
“Once perpetrators start to get punished,it will send a clear message to others out there.”
NANGO Midlands chairperson and Gweru Residents Forum(GRF) director, Charles Mazorodze added that the fight GBV cannot be won without the involvement of men.
“We all need to be resolute in the fight against domestic violence and GBV.
“These are vices that affect both men and women, therefore, must need to be at the epicenter of this fight,” he said.
Holistic approach to fight GBV
Mazorodze added that the fight to end GBV needs a holistic approach.
He pointed out that improving service delivery could lessen the incidence and occurrence of GBV cases.
“In most cases women bear the brunt of poor service delivery by our local authorities.
“When women go to fetch water at night it potentially exposes them to different kinds of abuse.
“It simply means we have to put our heads together and eliminate several other key drivers of abuses,” he said.
The 16 Days of Activism against GBV are held annually from November 25 to December 10.
These are days set aside to commemorate the fight against ending GBV and violence against women.
