Pamela T Munyoro
Harare, (News of The South) – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Zimbabwe says there are more than 8 000 cases of sexual violence against women and young girls and 800 000 others exposed to threats of gender based violence, making this of great concern.
Musasa Project has bemoaned the increase in cases of GBV in the country due to the Covid-19 lockdown and economic challenges too as are playing a part.
Many young girls have not returned back to school due to unwanted pregnancies. Since the opening of schools, pictures have circulated on social media showing under aged girls with pregnancies, mostly due to rape.
Musasa Project also revealed that their shelters has assisted more than 10 849 violence survivors since the beginning of lockdown in March.
UNFPA Deputy Country Representative Ms Gulnara Kadrykulova said, “The Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the lives of many people and pushed up incidences of GBV. The theme for this year’s World Population Day is “Putting the brakes on COVID-19: “Putting the Breaks on COVID-19: How to Safeguard the Health and Rights of Women and Girls Now?”.
Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the situation, affecting initiatives and harmful cultural practices that have been put forward to end GBV.
Unbalanced power dynamics also contributed to sexual exploitation and abuse, as women and girls are trading themselves to men for them to survive and provide basic commodities to their families.
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More initiatives are needed as to pass this period and more protection to our young women and girls. #NOTOGBV.
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