Fredrick Moyo
Since the start of Covid-19 lockdown, statistics have shown that Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe has been on the rise and there has been an increase in reported GBV cases, including psychological, physical, sexual and economic forms of violence.
This came out during Zimbabwe National First Lady’s Programme on Male Engagement conference held at Masvingo Polytechnic on April 21, 2022.
Speaking at the event, Masvingo Provincial Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) coordinator Daniel Jopo said GBV cases have been on the rise in the province since the start of the lockdown with the province receiving most of the reported cases being perpetrated by males.
“In 2021 from January to March, Masvingo province recorded 343 reported cases of GBV while in 2022 from January to March we have 496 reported cases. If we take a closer look at our statistics, GBV cases are on the rise in the province and the whole of last year we received 1 508 cases.
“Some of these cases have been linked to the Covid-19 pandemic but however, I am happy that the courts are solving all the cases that we present to them,” said Jopo.
He also added that as VFU, they work with many stakeholders in carrying out awareness campaigns to minimize or stop GBV cases in the province and encouraged people to seek third part interventions and solve their disputes amicably without violence.
“Some if not all of the GBV cases that we are receiving, males are the perpetrators while females are victims. As ZRP, we work with many stakeholders to fight GBV as we carryout awareness campaigns, provide counselling services to minimise or stop GBV and also encouraging people to report GBV cases in time so they can be quickly solved. We also encourage people to seek third part interventions from Chiefs, Pastors, family members or even us the ZRP whenever they argue,” added Jopo.
Gender-based violence is of serious concern in Zimbabwe as it is to the rest of the world and indeed it is imperative to emphasize that GBV was already a global problem before the Covid-19 pandemic but however increased due to lockdown and movement restrictions.
