Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) is on a drive to engage more men to be gender champions and to be proactive in the fight against gender based violence.

As a result, the organisation is on overdrive, holding meetings around the country specifically targeting men.  One such meeting took place in Zhombe at Chief Gwesela’s homestead where village heads and villagers from around the Zhombe community met to map a way forward in the fight against all forms of abuse against women.

Speaking during the meeting, Chief Gwesela said that most women don’t know that they have rights. “If women knew they had rights equal to men they would rise up and be part of every process that men are part of. As community leaders we know that women have rights as such we need to advocate and educate more women about their rights so that they are better informed,” he said.

One of the participants shared that there is need for a holistic approach when tackling issues to do with women’s rights. They said that in cases where a couple is married it is pointless to educate the men or the woman only, leaving behind the other partner. Couples need to be on the same level of understanding when it comes to issues to do with rights to avoid clashes. The men also agreed that culture plays a key role in how gender relations play out in society and that it will take a lot of learning and unlearning certain cultural practices to achieve gender equality and equity.

Locadia Mavhudzi WCoZ Midlands Coordinator said that meaningful engagement with men and boys is critical to advancing gender equality and equity. “As WCOZ we are committed to engage men as stakeholders who should be at the forefront challenging stereotypes, negative behaviours, and attitudes in gender relations. We encourage male involvement in doing away with negative masculinity patterns and building new ones,” she said.

The meeting also touched on matters concerning the implementation of United Nations Resolution 1325. UN 1325 is a landmark Security Council resolution on women, peace and security which was adopted in 2000. It addresses the impact of war on women and the importance of women’s full and equal participation in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction. It hinges on four pillars, prevention, protection, participation and relief and recovery. It is one instrument that can be used to address sexual violence concerns which have reportedly increased with the advent of Covid 19 induced lockdowns. The resolution seeks to see more women effectively participate in decision making processes so that women’s concerns are heard at decision making levels of governance. During the meeting participants had a chance to deliberate on how best this resolution can be implemented in their area. Issues that came to light included improved water access, the need for trainings that empower women to earn their own income, better bridges so that school children can access schools safely, clinics amongst other issues.

Kesani Ndungeni Vice Chairperson of the Chief’s Council stated that the meeting took place at an opportune time when cases of violence were on the increase.  He added that it was necessary for communities to be continually engaged on matters concerning gender. He however noted that there was need for financial assistance for people to improve their lives as most conflicts were as a result of poverty.

According to a report produced by the UNFPA, in Zimbabwe about 1 in 3 women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, and about 1 in 4 women have experienced sexual violence, since the age of 15, according to the 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey. Gender based violence undermines opportunities for women and denies them the ability to fully utilise their basic human rights.

WCOZ Kwekwe Chapter Vice Chairperson Partinella Ngozo highlighted that gender relations bring into focus social roles which have been socially constructed. She said that the basis of the patriarchal system on which society is structured favours men as it is characterised by unequal access to resources and rights both in the public and private sectors.

“We are encouraging men to adopt new behavioural patterns based on respect for the human rights of women. We regard men as part of the solution, instead of being part of the problem,” she added.