PSH – NEWSSPACE

22 women raped daily in Zim

**Stakeholders who attended the** ***16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence Chiefs Indaba*** **pose for group photo**

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

TWENTY-TWO women are raped daily in Zimbabwe, while one is abused every 75 minutes and an average of 646 are sexually abused each month, Swedish Ambassador, His Excellency Per Lindgärde, has said.

Ambassador Lindgärde revealed further that one in three girls under 18 is married in Zimbabwe.

He revealed these shocking statistics at Kakora Primary School in Mazowe, during the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence Chiefs Indaba.

The event was organised by Population Solutions for Health (PSH), with support from the Embassy of Sweden and in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.

The indaba was attended by 16 Chiefs, Village Heads and other stakeholders.

“Globally every 10 minutes, a woman is killed.

“In Zimbabwe, 22 women are raped daily; one woman is abused every 75 minutes, and an average of 646 women are sexually abused each month. One in 3 girls under 18 is married, shocking and sobering statistics.

“The 16 Days of Activism and any other day of the year, we should reflect on these disturbing statistics.

“All these statistics represent more than just numbers; they reflect the lives of women and girls who are someone’s mother, daughter, sister, niece, or aunt-each suffering the pain and trauma of assault, rape, maiming, or murder at the hands of a man or boy.

“Tragically, few are reported or brought to justice,” said Ambassador Lindgärde.

He added that it was unfortunate that the home remains the most dangerous place for women and girls, as most of the women victims are killed by intimate partners, husband or boyfriend) or a family-related homicide (father, brother, son).

Ambassador Lindgärde reiterated that Chiefs and Village Heads and other authorities had a duty to be symbols of unity and tolerance, as they are best placed to reverse the epidemic of GBV.

“You can address the systematic, social inequality and disempowerment of women at the grassroots level.

“In your villages you can engage men to be activists in countering GBV.

“You can create an enabling environment for increased reporting, referral and support of GBV cases.

“As leaders you can encourage families to ensure that girls and boys stay in school and complete their education. It’s important that they learn that all human beings are equal in dignity and worth.”

He also revealed that his country is firmly committed to preventing and responding to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and child marriages in Zimbabwe.

“We work actively to ensure that women and girls can decide for themselves over their lives and bodies.

“Through the “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” campaign, our partner Population Solutions for Health (PSH) is rallying men to be agents of change, to be allies in the fight against gender-based violence.

“There is also the “Give Me a Chance” campaign seeking to end early child marriages in the communities.

“We have also established a toll-free line where violence survivors can also call for help and support.

“I want to applaud you all, Chiefs and Village Heads for rallying behind these campaigns.

“Sweden takes pride in being part of these efforts that aim to bring dignity and respect to girls and women.

“Let me conclude by emphasising that, the vision of an inclusive world, free of discrimination and gender- based violence, and the realisation of this vision requires the commitment of every one of us.

“There are many ways in which, together we can and should make a difference. Let us commit today to continually – In our day-to-day work, challenge ourselves institutionally and personally to raise awareness and stand against gender-based violence,” added Ambassador Lindgärde.

Speaking at the same event, PSH Executive Director and Managing Trustee, Dr Noah Taruberekera said it was humbling to see Chiefs taking part in discussions aimed at effectively addressing GBV.

He also paid tribute to the government for the support to implement their programmes in the community.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to the Embassy of Sweden for their funding support which has enabled us to spread the message against GBV and Child Marriages through initiatives like the “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” project and the “Give Me A Chance” campaign.

“GBV is also closely linked to drug use, and we appreciate the continued support from the Swedish Embassy in our efforts to combat drug and substance use under the “Strength is In You” campaign.

“GBV is high in Zimbabwe, where some men misuse their physical strength to beat, rape, and kill women.

“It also includes child marriages, where young girls under the age of 18 are forced into marriage against their will.

“This is why we have gathered here as Chiefs, Village Heads, and men-because only we can solve this problem.

“The power to stop gender-based violence and child marriages in Zimbabwe lies in our hands.”

He added: “to the Chiefs, your role in shaping traditional norms is crucial in eliminating GBV and child marriages.

“Your voices are listened to. During the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, we therefore urge you, as 16 Chiefs, to make solid commitments to prevent these practices.

“There is No Excuse for Gender-Based Violence. Let us all unite to create a Zimbabwe where mothers, sisters, and daughters can feel safe in their homes and villages.

“And this begins with each of us-let’s act against GBV together, starting today.”

Several Chiefs revealed that the programmes to protect women and girls were vital so as to eliminate GBV and child marriages.

PSH reports that the “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” campaign is an anti-GBV campaign that engages men as change makers, promotes gender equality, and increases the number of individuals who believe that gender-based violence should not be tolerated in their communities.

It (campaign) is centered around the universal theme of love and music, aiming to engage male perpetrators of violence and encourage them to end such behaviour.

And by collaborating with men in the community, local leaders, and a group of musicians, the campaign sparked a movement uniting men and women against GBV.

The “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” campaign further encourages men to raise their hand to love, not to beat their partners.

The “Give Me A Chance. I am a Child not A Wife” campaign is an anti-child marriage campaign that puts girls at the forefront of demanding an opportunity to fulfil their dreams and achieve a better future.

And the “Give Me A Chance. I am a Child, not a Wife” campaign works with community leaders, including chiefs and village heads to end early child marriages in their communities.

Remove import duty and VAT on condoms-PSH

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Population Solutions for Health (PSH) has called on the government to remove import duty and value added tax (VAT) on condoms so as to ensure they are affordable.

The call by PSH which is the distributor of Protector Plus condoms, was made as the organisation joined the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) and the global community in commemorating International Condom Day which was held on Tuesday, February 13.

In a press release, PSH revealed that the day serves as a reminder of the critical role condoms play in preventing HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies.

“As we observe this day, we want to emphasize the shortage of domestic funding for condom procurement and call for the removal of import duty and VAT for condoms.

“This will make condoms more affordable in the market and secure the future availability of condoms without donor funding,” read the press release.

It was further revealed that “while Zimbabwe has achieved considerable success in condom programming, more work needs to be done to address the challenges that threaten to reverse the gains.

“The condom program heavily relies on donor support which has reduced over the years, negatively impacting funding for public and social marketing sector condoms, which serve the marginalised communities and low-income earners.

“The shortage of domestic funding for condom procurement and related programming further worsens the situation.

“The commercial sector’s condom supply has been decreasing over the past two decades, partly due to higher taxes (VAT and Import Duty) on condoms, which make commercial condoms expensive and unviable.”

It was also reported that PSH is actively supporting Ministry of Health in developing a sustainable condom market that promotes long-term condom use with reduced reliance on donor funding.

The press release further read that as the International Condom Day is commemorated, PSH remains committed to advancing condom programming and expanding access to quality sexual and reproductive health services and products.

“By addressing challenges in the market, significant progress can be made in preventing HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancies,” added the press release.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says “external condoms are the most common and sheaths or coverings that fit over a man’s erect penis before penetration. Internal condoms are also available and sheaths or linings that fit loosely inside the vagina before penetration.”

And WHO further states that “condoms continue to be an essential and effective tool in the prevention packages for HIV, other STIs and unplanned pregnancy.

“Condom use has been a significant tool to decrease transmission of HIV globally.”

Collaborations needed in circumcision drive

PSH Operations Research Specialist Handrick Chigiji-pic by Daphne Machiri

BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA

Health authorities are collaborating with traditionally circumcising communities so that they can find common ground on how best they can work together in promoting one of HIV’s prevention methods.

And the results have been good as some of the communities like the VaRemba, have warmed up to the idea of working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and its supporting partners.

This was revealed by Handrick Chigiji, Operations Research Specialist at Population Solutions for Health, on the sidelines of the recently held National AIDS Council HIV Research Symposium.

Chigiji’s sentiments follow revelations by some members of the traditionally circumcising communities emphasizing on proper collaborations so that they can work with health authorities in their circumcision drive.

National AIDS Council defines male circumcision as the surgical removal of the fold of the skin that covers the head of the penis (foreskin or prepuce).

“There have been efforts to work together with these groups and one of them is the VaRemba Traditional Ceremonies that we are also trying to come in and provide support in terms of ensuring that they can continue with their ceremonies, the male circumcision; where the procedures are being done medically so there are engagements already.

“Last year we provided that support through the Ministry of Health and other partners to ensure that is done.

“And this year again, the ceremony was done in Buhera, the team from Ministry of Health got support from other partners to ensure that service in a safer way.

“And also for them to get all the support they require and that team was ensuring that the service is done in a medical way,” said Chigiji.

Chigiji further revealed that the visit to the VaRemba community had also given them the opportunity to collect necessary data on the Shang ring, which is another male circumcision option.

“Basically we also took that opportunity to capture the data on the Shang ring and we captured their experiences as well, in terms of their acceptability so we are getting the request to support their ceremonies.

“It also shows that the ring has been accepted because it’s now being utilised, so we got a number of clients who were circumcised with the ring but also there are some who also prefer the surgical so it gives them a wider choice because we have these methods being offered.

“So it gives the clients, the option to choose when they have more than one option,” added Chigiji.

A member of the VaRemba community who attended the symposium said health authorities should find ways of collaborating with their communities so as to co-exist in the circumcision drive.

He added that it were better if health authorities train some of their members so that they can in turn pass on the knowledge to their peers.

“It would be better if health authorities train one of us than for them to think we can allow them to come and circumcise our members during our ceremonies.

“Circumcision is something we have been practicing before all these efforts, so there is need for some serious collaborations if we are to work together,” he said.

Fair Planet reports that as part of the VaRemba male rites of passage, boy and men from the age of 12 are taken for initiation rituals during winter. It is during these initiation ceremonies that the boys get to be circumcised.

It is reported that in 2007, the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and WHO recommended voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) to reduce the risk of men acquiring HIV infection during heterosexual exposure.

The World Health Organisation further revealed that the recommendation was based on strong evidence from randomized controlled trials showing an approximately 60 percent lower risk.

It is also added since 2007, more than 27 million VMMC procedures have been performed in the 15 priority countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.