Staff Reporter

Government is actively participating in a vital initiative to combat violence against women and girls by contributing to the drafting of the African Union (AU) Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. This effort was highlighted during a stakeholder meeting held in Harare, where representatives gathered to refine this comprehensive legal instrument aimed at addressing gender-based violence (GBV) across Africa.

Speaking at the national stakeholder consultative meeting, yesterday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Dr Mavis Sibanda underscored the significance of this initiative in advancing the fight against violence toward women and girls.

“This represents a major step forward in our collective continental efforts. We applaud the AU Heads of State for their vision in calling for an African-led convention on this issue,” Dr Sibanda remarked.

She further emphasized the importance of a home-grown solution tailored to the realities of African nations.

“A home-grown African Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls is not just a necessity, it is an opportunity to create a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls across our continent,” she said.

Participants at the meeting emphasized the importance of ensuring that the convention is adaptable and takes into account the varying circumstances across African nations.

“As an organization, we felt it was important to be part of this significant discussion. Our work focuses on ending gender-based violence not just against women and girls, but also men and boys. The Convention must be inclusive and account for situations across the continent; what is happening in Zimbabwe is not the same as in Ghana or Kenya, so it must be adaptable,” said one stakeholder.

Another participant expressed gratitude for the collaborative approach taken by the government.

“We are happy that the government has brought us together to deliberate on these issues. Gender-based violence is a problem affecting many countries, and it is crucial that we find a way to address it collectively as a continent,” she stated.

As Zimbabwe prepares to contribute to the finalization of the AU Convention, there is hope that the initiative will serve as a powerful tool to drive change, promote equality, and protect the rights of women and girls across Africa. With the collective efforts of governments, organizations, and communities, this convention could represent a meaningful step forward in the ongoing battle against gender-based violence across the continent.