The Sunday Mail
Gender and Community Editor
Some communities are still unaware of the main thrust of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as they consider the campaign a preserve for women.
As a result, some men prefer to suffer in silence for fear of being stigmatised when they reveal their experiences.
Experts say while one in three women and girls will experience sexual violence and GBV in their lifetime, only 4 percent will report to the police.
The 16 Days of Activism against GBV kicked off on November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Women and men who spoke to The Sunday Mail highlighted the need to intensify awareness campaigns in communities where most cases are being reported.
Ms Tinashe Sirewu, a hairdresser who professed ignorance about the campaign, said she was once a victim of GBV.
“I don’t know much about the campaign, but I once got help from Musasa (Project). My husband used to abuse drugs and in turn accuse me of infidelity . . .
“I also became violent because I couldn’t just do nothing while being attacked. In the heat of the moment, my husband would even kick our child,” Ms Sirewu said.
“So if these organisations are able to engage people in local communities, it will go a long way in bringing awareness and counselling to those with such challenges because at times they don’t have resources to go where the services are being provided.”
While 16-day campaign has been observed since 1991, GBV cases continue to increase.
The coronavirus pandemic has made it even worse.
Gender-based violence includes verbal, physical, emotional, financial, domestic and cyber violence.
There are harmful cultural practices like marrying off young
girls.
However, Ms Sharon Phiri is concerned about growing fatalities linked to GBV cases.
“There are cases where if a wife fights with the husband, you find her committing suicide and also killing children in the process,” she said.
Local laws that are meant to curb the vice include the Domestic Violence Act, Sexual Offences Act, Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, among others.
According to Mr Stephen Chihuye, an entrepreneur, the concept of campaigning against GBV does not work for men because they are never taken seriously if they report abuse.
“When GBV campaigns are done, you should consider if men’s rights are being protected, otherwise it’s all one-sided,” he said.
“When a man reports a domestic violence case, it’s not accepted, so make it possible through these awareness campaigns that if we have been beaten at home, we have safe places to report our issues.
“So the campaign is being effective for women; that’s why it seems as if men are not participating that much because it doesn’t assist them.”
A money-changer in the capital, who preferred to remain anonymous, said men are often emotionally abused due to economic challenges affecting families.
“We are not being helped because when people see us, they think we always prevail, but sometimes women have the authority . . . Men are not being protected that much through these campaigns,” he said.
