Source: 30 000 cases reported in January-September period | The Sunday Mail
Violet Chenyika
MORE than 30 000 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) were reported to Musasa Project during the first nine months of the year, a slight decrease from the 35 000 recorded during the same period in 2023.
Data from Musasa Project, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to combating violence against women and girls, shows that the organisation has handled a staggering 190 458 cases of GBV since 2020.
According to Musasa’s executive director Mrs Vimbainashe Mutendereki, the majority of perpetrators are current or former husbands or intimate partners.
“A recent World Bank study launched in 2024 revealed that levels of GBV in Zimbabwe are at 43 percent,” she said.
“Since the year 2020, Musasa has responded to a total of 190 458 cases of gender-based violence. For the past two years, Musasa’s case load has been alarmingly high, with 39 827 cases received in 2022, 40 675 cases received in 2023 and 30 262 cases received in 2024 as of September. While there is a slight decrease in the number of cases received between January and September in 2024 (30 262) compared to 2023 (35 104), the prevalence of GBV remains unacceptably high.”
She said, as Zimbabwe observes the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, Musasa Project plans to amplify its advocacy, particularly around femicide — the killing of women by their partners. “Femicide is a challenge that erodes the gains made over the years since frameworks like the Beijing Platform for Action were established 30 years ago,” Mrs Mutendereki said.
Statistics from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) show that 35 women were murdered by their partners between January and June this year.
“During this period, Musasa intensifies broad-based awareness to ensure women know where to access services such as counselling, shelters and our 24-hour helpline,” she added.
“We also plan to heighten online engagement through social media campaigns, ensuring the public understands the gravity of GBV.”
United Nations Women communications specialist Mr Innocent Katsande said collaborative efforts involving the Government and its partners have contributed to the slight decline in GBV cases this year.
“The ongoing support and funding from UN Women, the Government, the Ministry of Women Affairs and development partners, through initiatives like the Spotlight Initiative and HeForShe campaign, have positively impacted gender equality advocacy and contributed to the reduction in GBV cases,” said Mr Katsande.
“We are now in the post-pandemic period of Covid-19, which has seen a decrease in gender-based violence because people are no longer on lockdown. “Journalists or the media are playing a crucial role in combating gender-based violence cases through raising awareness.”
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