16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is a global campaign dedicated to ending gender based violence and is coordinated globally by Centre for Women’s Global Leadership.
This year’s theme is, “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence against Women”.
In an interview with The Zimbabwean, Director for Padare, Kelvin Hazangwi, said the involvement of men in eliminating gender based violence was critical.
“We need a collective, deliberate shift in our patriarchal systems in Africa. We are merely passing time, hoping the outside forces of politics, journalism and advocacy achieve what we failing to do,” he said.
Hazangwi said there were more female victims of GBV than male; therefore Padare was focusing on promoting positive fatherhood.
“Fatherhood is a key focus because it is a good entry point to talk to men through their role as fathers. It is one of the most important roles and it is only right that we examine that massive role and get it right,” he said.
He said male victims tended to avoid divulging their experiences because they were ashamed of the perceptions people would have.
“Violence against men is generally low but the problem is that people often find it hard to believe that the man’s black eye or bruise on the face was caused by domestic violence.”
Hazangwi said the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act was going very well in rural areas, indicating that widows in most parts of the country were no longer finding it hard to access their late husband’s estates.
He urged the media to report positively on women.
“The key issue holding women back is the perception of them as lesser human beings. The messages people receive through education and media stereotype women as housewives and men as providers. This must stop.
“The media must take responsibility for its portrayal of women. If they are only seen as sex objects, they will not be respected.”
According to a statement released by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, domestic violence has been escalating since 2008 when 1,940 cases were reported.
Post published in: News