“Governments should prioritise women’s rights”

The majority of gender based violence leave women at the receiving end while undermining their human rights.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Zimbabwean in Harare recently, Robertson said GBV affected everybody and would destroy families, weaken the fabric of society and take a heavy toll on the economy.

Robertson’s comments were in line with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

“Essential elements in preventing and elimination of violence against women include equality of women before the law, access to education, economic and political participation.

“Women’s rights would be achieved through engagement of men and boys, and equal access to the ownership of land, property and housing,” said Robertson, noting that violation of women’s rights would lead to social ills such as women trafficking for forced prostitution purposes among others.

Child and early forced marriages are prevalent violation of the girl child’s rights in Africa.

Robertson indicated that empowering women through their leadership and meaningful participation in societal structures and processes, were essentials for the protection of women’s rights.

Canada, Robertson said, works both bilaterally and multilaterally to promote the leadership and full participation of women in all aspects of social, economic and political life.

This is essential for a more stable, democratic and prosperous world.

To enhance women’s role in eliminating their discrimination and promote full participation in social and political activities, Canada helps facilitate women participation in international peace and security, and other work aimed at addressing discrimination against women and girls.

“Women and girls’ empowerment cannot be achieved as long as discrimination and violence continues to jeopardise their health, their access to education and enjoyment of their political, social and economic rights.”

A Zimbabwe baseline study launched last December revealed that 68 percent, that is two in every three Zimbabwe women have experienced some form of GBV in their lifetime.

The UN Women Support Study shows that emotional violence is the most prevalent form of intimate partner violence.

“Emotional violence is the silent death women live with daily, which affects their agency,” said Colleen Lowe Morna, chief executive Gender Link.

To help fight rape which is among the most traumatising forms of GBV, Zimbabwe has proposed that its laws be tightened in this respect and sentence perpetrators to life imprisonment.