| 16 days of activism |
Arguments have arisen that the mis- representation or under representation of women in the media has lead to the trivialization of issues concerning women. Not long ago sanitary wear was made the joke of the day in parliament, questions then are posed to the politicians that if they fail to address such minor issues how are they tackling gender issues. the topic that is largely in debate is that of gender based violence.
While some activists who fight for women’s rights are calling for
stiffer penalties on perpetrators of gender-based violence as a
deterrent measure to ensure it is put to an end, activists standing for
men’s rights argue domestic violence can only be nipped if there is
dialogue between women’s groups and men’s groups to find lasting
solutions to the scourge.
There is also a lot of concern that victims of gender-based violence
sometimes have nowhere to run to as they find more vultures in
institutions like churches where they are supposed to seek solace, but
end up being abused by the men of cloth who are supposed to protect
them.
Recent media reports were awash with stories of pastors who sexually
assaulted their female congregates, sodomised boys or engaged in
nefarious activities where, for example, one Kwekwe pastor was arrested
after removing all his clothes during a court session and almost
sexually abused a woman in front of the police.
Tendai Garwe, a communications officer with Women’s Trust said it was
difficult to completely eradicate gender-based violence, but a lot
could be done to nip it in the bud.
“What we can do as a nation is to first socialise our children to
understand that they have to respect each other because if a child is a
bully, they continue with such behaviour later in life. It is high time
issues of rape and sex abuse are included in the school curriculum so
that children know from a young age that if someone touches their
private parts their rights would have been violated.
