LIZZY KUTYAURIPO – OWN CORRESPONDENT.
Harare, Zimbabwe. – As Zimbabweans joined hands to celebrate Women’s Day on the 7th of March, untold stories of women suffering in silent from various gender based violence remain to be heard in all corners of the world so as to break the silence. The heart breaking testimonies from rape and GBV survivors are evidence that the issues of abuse remain high and there is need to engage all stakeholders in finding solutions to the ever present endemic.
Nineteen year old Andrea Makina, was raped at the age of 12 by church minister, and throughout the years she has dedicated her life to champion rape awareness and the implications of rape to young children and victims through music. The strong willed Makina has also enrolled at Monash University in South Africa to study for a Degree in Child and Youth Development.
“I was raped at the age of 12 by my church minister and I went through a very terrifying experience which still brings tears to my eyes to this day. I could not report the issue because of fear as the person who had raped me was a well-respected man in our community. Burdened by the abuse, my love for music helped me to heal slowly. I also realized that even though I was suffering, I was still surviving and should thank God for that and this motivated me to find a way to help other girls who were also raped yet could not find a way to move on,” explained Makina.
Makina added that there was need to educate both the victims and the public on the issue of rape so that women should not stigmatized for being rape victims. In her view, the commemorations about women, for example The Woman’s Day, Day of the African Child and 15 Days against Gender Based Violence should be effectively used to empower women and raise the awareness on the matters that affect women.
“It is through these campaigns that we get to reach out to other rape victims and make them realise that even if they struggled or are still struggling there is need for them to realise that there is life beyond the violence and hurt. They should be empowered so that they have confidence in themselves to conquer anything let alone bring a change to their live”, said Makina.
Feminists and Gender Activists are of the view that the laws that protect women should be effectively used to protect the rights and wellbeing of many both in the rural and urban areas. Taiona Tsanangurai, a Feminist with the organisation, Young Voices Network, said men should be engaged in the fight against gender violence as they are the main custodians of culture.
“Having been brought up in a patriarchal family set up, I witnessed how culture suppressed women, my mother in particular. Thus, there is need for us men to accept as a country to play our part and end the violation of women. The laws to protect women are there in the doctrines but the same cannot be said on the ground as women suffer abuse to this date in the homes, streets and at work,” he said.
Speaking on the commemorations of International Women’s Day, a member of the Makoni Police Victim Friendly Unit advised the public not to fall prey to child abusers and traffickers as young girls will eventually be forced into prostitution. The public was also urged to hastily report rape cases and desist from withdrawing the charges and settling for payments by the offender.
“This is all possible if we harness our creativity and energy. Our aim is to highlight, create and envision new, brave and radical artistic initiatives to bring in the new revolutionary world of equality, dignity and freedom for all women and girls”, said Officer Sengayi.
In its statement to commemorate International Women’s Day, The Institute for Young Women Development said as the month which is used to remember women, there is need to rewrite the story of the woman.
“This month we remember all women more-so the marginalised young women in rural farming and mining communities of Zimbabwe. There is an urgent need to liberate women from the ills that have held us captive for a very long time and allow for intellectual, physical and spiritual growth of the Zimbabwean woman. Women need to be accorded equal opportunities as their male counterparts in all spheres to allow the nation to forge forward. Women have a role to play in re-defining the socio-economic and political landscape of Zimbabwe. This can only be done if every individual and government institutions acknowledge women, and join in the fight to end discrimination and all forms of violence against women,” read part of the statement.
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