The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU)
is deeply disturbed with the increase of gender based violence in the household. The Covid-19 induced lockdowns have seen a sharp rise in gender based violence, women have been the worst affected.
The 16-Days of Activism against gender-based violence is an international campaign that is commemorated on 25 November-The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women-and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day.
The commemorations comes at a time when globally countries are battling the novel Covid-19. The pandemic has put a great strain on economies globally. In the event of calamities such as Covid-19, the women and children are the worst affected.
Women have been mainly victims of GBV not only in their homes but also in their workplaces. The statistics paint a gloomy picture on a global scale where 40-50% of women experience unwanted sexual advances, physical context or other forms of sexual harrasment at work.
Nationally, the work of ZDAMWU has been more magnified in the face of gender based violence. The economic challenges have seen a significant number of women venturing into mining so as to fend for their families.
Once regarded as a male dominated preserve women are now seen venturing into the sector. The influx of women in mining have been seen mostly in the small scale mining sector and the artisinal mining enterprise.
The nearest women in the past used to go into mining in the small scale sector was through selling their wares to artisinal miners. However, in recent times women are now engaged in actual mining.
Women in mining are contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. However, violence against women especially in the mining sector has been rampant. Violence against women in the mining sector is in many forms such as sexual harrasment, physical violence or emotional violence.
As a union we are taking this opportunity to encourage employers be it in the small scale mining sectors or large corporates to address issues of gender based violence in the workplaces.
It takes each and everyone of us to make, workstations a safe haven for women by condemning gender based violence.
Gorvenment has made some strides in labour law issues to make workplaces favourable for women. We however, feel more can still be done to protect our women in the workplaces especially in the mining sector.
The commemorations comes at a time when ZDAMWU with support from IndustriAll is conducting trainings for its membership. In our strategic plan we highlighted that we shall be giving priority to membership education and training to sensitise them on their rights and obligations. As a union one of the key thrust on workers rights is the issue of women’s rights in the workplaces. Women must be treated with respect and dignity.
As a union our membership is being equipped with skills in issues such as labour law, dispute resolution & procedures, rights, safe& health as well collective bargaining skills. Once workers are equipped with such critical skills issues of gender based violence in the mining sector will be a thing of the past.
To show our commitment in the issues of eliminating gender based violence against women in the workplaces on of our key objectives as ZDAMWU as indicated in our constitution to grant a voice to a group of workers, targeting young workers, woman workers, professional & technical staff, migrant workers and disabled workers.
After its inaugural Congress in 2019, ZDAMWU developed its historical strategic and development plan to guide on the implementation and achievement of its strategic goals and objectives.
To show our commitment to the eliminatio of gender based violence on the workplace one of the strategic focus areas is to establish young workers and women committees and ensure that they are fully capacitated and educated to increase their understanding on trade union issues.
The commemorations have come at an opportune moment when ZDAMWU is developing itself to become a strong professional organization through setting up of key department to assist the General Secretary in the smooth running of the union namely- and one of the key departments is gender.
As a union we are fully committed to ensuring that there is elimination of gender based violence especially on the workspaces.
J.CHINHEMA
ZDAMWU GENERAL SECRETARY
J.CHINHEMA
ZDAMWU GENERAL SECRETARY – Justice Chinhema
0772976261/0717803553
jchinhema@gmail.com/gs@zdamwu.co.zw
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