The event to be commemorated at Makoni Shopping Centre is aimed at raising awareness on GBV, mobilise efforts from men and women to continue to rise, release, dance and demand for transitional justice in resolving gender based violence.
Participants will walk and dance as a show of unity and a call for change regarding GBV.
Nyasha Sekai, the coordinating officer for the Revolution in Zimbabwe, told a press conference in Harare yesterday that over one million Zimbabweans country wide would participate in the event in protest against an average one in every three women who experience GBV in their life time.
“There is no better way of showing solidarity with victims and express dismay at GBV than participating in the February 14 revolution.
“The event in Chitungwiza will be marked close to the police station for the programme to achieve its sensationalisation objective,” said Sekai, saying that dozens of artists from the dormitory town of Harare would grace the occasion as role models.
She added that ending violence against women and girls must be a strategic development priority for every individual across the globe.
Since art is a powerful vehicle for transformation, various brave and radical artistic initiatives towards eliminating GBV would be showcased on the day.
Drum beating will take centre stage to propel the dancing and walk.
Tendai Garwe, an activist selected to amplify and champion this year’s event said, Chitungwiza was chosen as the 2015 venue, as women in the town were crying for help and felt neglected by the nation in this respect.
“Out of the world’s estimated 3 billion women, 1 billion of them are victims of GBV, hence the need for people to rise and demand an end to the violent practice.
“It is unfortunate that the 14th being supposed to be a day for love, women would be suffering GBV at the hands of men,” said Garwe.
She said the rise was aimed at making sure that there is a sustainable demand for justice and highlighting of issues surrounding the social injustices inflicted on women.
Institutions and laws which are responsible for creating situations that promote GBV would be challenged and made accountable.
After the Chitungwiza rise, another commemoration would be organised at the Book Café in Harare later in the afternoon.
Post published in: News