By Rangarirai Shanyurai
Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development has established a One-Stop-Centre for Gender Based Violence (GBV) for survivors in Masvingo at Chesvingo Safe Market recently commissioned in Mucheke.
Chesvingo Safe Market, which was established by government with support from African Development Bank (AfDB) and Masvingo City Council was officially commissioned by the Minister of Women Affairs Senator Monica Mutsvangwa.
The safe market which is set to benefit at least 80 women and youths involves a pre-school as well as a One Stop Centre for victims of GBV.
It will also partner with Victim Friendly Unit, Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) and Musasa Project to empower survivors of GBV also offering counselling services before an issue is directed to ZWLA.
Speaking at the commissioning, Mutsvangwa said the safe market was an example of how government and its stakeholders can support women-owned businesses by ensuring that they are operating in safe workspaces, free of GBV.
“The Safe Market will prioritize the provision of a safe workspace for women and youth entrepreneurs, education for children and services to survivors of GBV. This is in line with Vision 2030 which aims at achieving an upper middle-income society.
“By providing a dedicated workspace like this safe market for women, the ministry is empowering them to contribute to economic growth. We still have more women who need decent workspaces and let’s continue to collaborate and provide such spaces for them,” said Mutsvangwa.
Masvingo Minister of State Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira encouraged women entrepreneurs to utilise the opportunities presented by the facility in growing their businesses.
“I encourage all small business owners, especially our women entrepreneurs, to take advantage of the opportunities it presents. Utilize the market, the pre-school, the One-Stop Centre, and the other essential services to grow your businesses, thriving in a safe and supportive environment,” said Chadzamira.
Beneficiaries welcomed the project saying it enabled them to get a safe space for working as well as making services for GBV survivors accessible.
“We are very excited today as women, that the government and its partners have remembered us with this facility as women and youths such that we have a safe space for work where we can sell our products. Most women are victims of sexual and gender-based violence, so this institution provides safe shelter and counselling making the services accessible to women in the residential areas. As you can see this market is responsive,” said one of the beneficiaries.
Another woman at the event said she was grateful for the facility which enabled them to work with their children close by at the preschool.
“As women, we feel safe that we will be able to work while our children are learning at this pre-school. Again pertaining to GBV we now have One Stop Centre of victims or survivors that is Victim Friendly Unit (VFU),” she said.
