Staff Reporter
Government has taken a pivotal step in the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) with the inauguration of a new One-Stop Centre at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, offering comprehensive support to survivors and aiming to address the region's alarming GBV statistics.
The facility, commissioned by Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, aims to provide comprehensive support services to GBV survivors under one roof.
The launch comes against the backdrop of alarming statistics, which reveal that 66 women are raped every month in the Matabeleland region, with Bulawayo alone reporting three cases weekly.
Most cases remain unreported due to fear of victimization and societal stigma.
The One-Stop Centre offers an array of services, including healthcare, legal aid, temporary shelter, counselling, psychosocial support, and protection, all designed to ease survivors' access to help while minimizing trauma.
Minister Mutsvangwa emphasized the critical role of the facility in tackling the nation's escalating GBV crisis.
“GBV is one of the major challenges facing our country, violating human rights and hindering social and economic progress. This new centre ensures survivors receive dignified, holistic, and accessible support,” said Mutsvangwa during the launch, which coincided with the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV campaign.
She also highlighted the grim reality that nearly half of Zimbabwean women aged 15-49 have experienced some form of violence, citing the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey.
Senator Mutsvangwa noted that the fear of secondary abuse and logistical barriers often discourage survivors from seeking help. The One-Stop Centre model aims to address these obstacles.
Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister for Bulawayo, Judith Ncube, also spoke at the event, expressing deep concern about the region’s GBV prevalence.
She called on the community to cultivate a culture of reporting abuse to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
“The establishment of this centre is a milestone achievement. It will encourage survivors to come forward and seek assistance without fear. This is a victory for Bulawayo and the Matabeleland region,” said Ncube.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Minister Ncube stressed that providing survivors with a safe, confidential space and comprehensive services would not only address immediate needs but also break the silence surrounding GBV, fostering a cultural
shift toward prevention and accountability.
The centre’s launch aligns with this year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Unite to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”
The campaign urges collective action from the Government, civil society, and the private sector to eliminate violence against women.
Meanwhile, the One-Stop Centre represents a critical step forward in Zimbabwe's fight against GBV. However, more needs to be done by communities to stand united in eradicating the scourge of violence against women and girls.
