Denmark pledges support to achieve gender equality in Zim

via Denmark pledges support to achieve gender equality in Zim – The Zimbabwean 23 January 2015

Denmark has pledged support to assisting initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality in Zimbabwe.

The country’s Head of Mission to Zimbabwe, Eric Brogger Rasmussen, said Denmark was working with a number of partners to end violence against women and to achieve gender equality in Zimbabwe and expressed satisfaction with the work being done towards achieving this goal.

He made the sentiments during the launch of the Orange Day on Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children in the capital today.

The Orange Day is part of the United Nations Secretary General’s UNiTE to end violence against women and girls. It is commemorated on the 25th of every month.

Said Rasmussen: “As part of our contribution to gender equality in Zimbabwe, we have also supported initiatives focused on developing national policy frameworks and legislation. I am happy to witness that the Zimbabwean government and its people are making great strides in developing a strong legal and policy framework for the advancement of girls and women’s rights.”

He said his country had set aside $5 million that would go towards complementing efforts aimed at achieving gender equality.

Denmark is one of Zimbabwe’s major partners in efforts to eradicate gender based violence.

“In the current three year programme, we have set aside approximately $5 million towards reducing the prevalence of gender based violence, in particular sexual violence against women and children. Our partners are doing a great job on a daily basis,” said Rasmussen.

He said gender equality was key to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Rasmussen implored the Zimbabwean government to put in place measures aimed at reducing the country’s high statistics on gender based violence.

According to the 2013 Baseline study on violence against women in Zimbabwe, two in every three women (68 percent) reported experiencing some form of violence during their lifetime.

Said Rasmussen: “I believe it is possible to change the statistics. Monthly Orange Day activities and other gender programmes are critical,” said Rasmussen.