Japan pledges US$400 000 for GBV fight

Source: Japan pledges US$400 000 for GBV fight – NewsDay Zimbabwe

BY CATHERINE MUCHIRI
JAPAN has pledged US$462 962 towards the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in Mbire and Shamva in gender-based violence.

“Japan will support Zimbabwe’s efforts to build an inclusive society, where women and girls have equal rights. GBV is no longer acceptable in any form and where women and girls should access to the full range of sexual reproductive health (SRH) services that they need, including psychosocial services and counselling,” Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Satoshi Tanaka
said.

A total of 7 664 GBV cases were reported through the national GBV hotline between January and November 2021, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2020 when 6 600 cases were reported.

In 2019, a total of 4 405 cases were recorded.  Of the reported cases, 94% of the survivors were women and girls.

In a statement, the Japanese embassy said GBV and SHR interventions will be implemented in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency.

“To strengthen the capacity of the most vulnerable women and girls to mitigate their risk of exposure to GBV in hazardous environments including COVID-19 pandemic settings, this project will conduct community awareness activities through behaviour change facilitators,” the statement read.

“It will also establish safe spaces, which provide information on SRH and GBV, as well as training on livelihood skills and economic empowerment.”

UNFPA representative Esther Muia said GBV remained a huge challenge affecting at least one in three women and girls.

An estimated 10 000 women and girls, including those with special needs, will benefit from the proposed Japanese intervention.