CultureACTIONs Fights GBV and Child Marriage

Project officers from partner organizations, including Nyasha Mantos representing the Diocese of Mutare community program, are actively implementing the CultureACTIONs project in regions such as Chipinge and Chimanimani.

Melody Yakaipa from Women in Land in Zimbabwe is another key partner, focusing efforts in the Makoni district, all working towards the overarching goal of empowering women and girls while confronting gender-based violence and child marriages.

Reports from traditional leaders have revealed a significant increase in child marriage cases in Chipinge and Chimanimani districts, indicating a worsening trend in these communities.

Additionally, Ward 19 in Chipinge recorded a spike in suicide cases specifically during the COVID-19 lockdown period, prompting organizations to launch awareness campaigns using creative arts like drama, poetry, music, and dance to educate communities on prevention and reporting mechanisms for GBV and child abuse.

The organization further provides training to enable women to assume leadership roles and understand their rights, thereby strengthening their ability to advocate for themselves effectively at both district and national levels.

Mazowe district, a key mining and farming hub, is experiencing high levels of gender-based violence and child marriage, prompting targeted interventions.

Nanga sessions are being conducted for girls aged 15 to 24 to help them build confidence and assertiveness, equipping them with crucial information on reporting cases through victim-friendly units and the Ministry of Women's Affairs.

The Musasa Project in Mazowe offers a temporary shelter for survivors of gender-based violence, providing immediate safety and support to those in need.

These centers provide a range of services including health, clinical, and legal assistance, with victim-friendly units and police stationed on-site to ensure comprehensive support, while also educating communities on the critical importance of accessing these services within 72 hours of an incident.

These community facilitators and male gender champions are equipped to assist victims, ensuring they are connected to one-stop centers and specialized services to save lives and prevent suicides.

In Makoni District, a rise in gender-based violence cases has been observed during the tobacco selling season, as men returning from auctions without money often induce violence in their homes.

Additionally, mining wards report an increase in abuse of girls by illegal miners, with advocacy and awareness efforts intensified through partnerships with UNICEF and UN Women to address these economic triggers.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization successfully established temporary shelters for women, offering a safe haven when existing facilities were closed due to infection risks.

Under the CultureACTIONs program, new methodologies, including a 'Creative Knowledge Toolkit,' have been adopted to engage community members.

This toolkit utilizes arts, drama, music, and poetry to encourage survivors to speak out about violence, aiming to break the pervasive silence surrounding domestic and gender-based abuse through empowerment strategies.

The program collaborates with various government ministries and departments to strengthen response mechanisms, urging community members to support victims and prioritize human development by opposing abusive environments.

This campaign aims to 'Fund, Prevent, Respond, and Collect' data on violence within the targeted districts of Mazowe, Makoni, Chipinge, and Chimanimani, fostering a concerted effort to combat these social ills.

The initiative emphasizes the availability of support for those facing violence or child marriage, ensuring victims know there is a 'voice to listen,' while also highlighting collaboration with government ministries and departments to protect women and girls.