16 days of Activism against Gender based violence by Tariro Shylline Tshuma
What is gender based violence is a frequently asked question that scores of community members ask the meaning of as it has become a pandemic uniting many nations to try end or curb it by all means. Gender based violence is any physical attack, sexual abuse(sex without consent), emotional abuse, economic abuse, psychological abuse, intimidation or form of discrimination against an individual on the basis of their gender. We all are vulnerable to Gender based violence,but the most affected are women and girlchild/children.Hence it is our duty to all come together to enlighten one another as a community of Hwange as we Say No to Gender Based Violence. The theme for this year at Global level”Unite to End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls”we commemorate it from the 25th of November-10 December hence the name “16 Days of Activism Against Women and Girls”, meaning as the world is transitioning through technology so is GBV,we all ought to learn how to use social media safely and not harm or offend others by what we posts,and be careful as well of what we posts.As a paralegal my job in the community is to give legal advice, make referrals, counseling and holding of legal education sessions.
As we know that violence against women and girlchild happens everyday we could not wait longer as paralegals in Hwange to launch the “16 Days”thus on the 29th of October we conducted an Awareness Campaign in the village of Change -Lukosi under Hwange Rural District Council (HRDC). An event that gathered about 50 women, supported by Center For Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) and partner Hwange Youth Empowerment Initiative. The event was graced by several Ministries, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of women Affairs, Ministry of Youths, ZRP(Department of Peace,Victim Friendly Unit -VFU),the Village Head Mr Joseph Change ,10 paralegals that were trained by the Center for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) along side with other local CSOs who were present to support the good cause and our Guest of honor was Mrs Gillian Hlatshwayo who graced us with wise word’s as a Legal Advisor by Profession.
The event was a success as we managed to have women come together and learn, share experiences and teach each other to also go and share the knowledge grasped. Message from VFU “children/ girlchild under the age of 18 are a Government Property Do Not Touch”it was an emphasis to protect our young girls and to also remind mothers/women that girls below 18 cannot be married off “Early childhood marriages”Therefore we appeal to women let’s speak out,let’s not suffer in silence in fear of people’s opinions.In each ward there is a paralegal that u can reach out too and get assistance.
As Paralegals of Hwange we are saying “We stand with survivors,We fight for justice,We break the silence”.
#togetherwecanendGBV
