‘The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence’ Campaign
Book
Cafe, November 24 – December 08, 2012
Domestic
Violence is a sensitive, harrowing community issue that affects 1 in 3 women in
Zimbabwe. It is a crime, and although legislation has been enacted to try
and prevent it, many women find themselves in a position where they are
vulnerable to physical, psychological, sexual and emotional abuse.
Statistics
show that despite active campaigns from women's groups, government ministries
and NGO's, domestic violence continues to be a major problem in Zimbabwe.
From January to May 2012, a total of 3,141 domestic violence cases were
reported to police, not taking into account all those victims too scared to
make an official report and instead bear their wounds in silence. Most
shockingly, 60% of the murder cases brought before the High Court are a direct
result of domestic violence.
According
to the World Health Organisation (WHO), domestic violence is defined as: “the
intentional use of physical force or power, (threatened or actual) against
oneself, another person or against a group or community that either results in
(or has a high likelihood of resulting in), injury, death, psychological harm,
reduced development or deprivation”.
The most common
perpetrator of domestic violence against women is a current or former husband
or sex-partner. According to the 2010-11 Zimbabwe Demographic Health
Survey released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, 30 percent of women
have experienced physical violence at some point since the age of 15. The
passing of the Domestic Violence Bill in 2007 and the subsequent setting up of
the Anti-Domestic Violence Council to enforce this law, has had limited
results. It has become important, now more than ever with the rising
statistics, to raise awareness of the scourge of domestic and other forms of
violence against women in Zimbabwean communities.
The 16 Days
of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign is a global initiative, founded by
the Centre for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL) in New York in 1991 to raise
awareness of the issue and help change behaviors. Known as ‘The 16 Days
Campaign’, it begins annually on November 25, the International Day for the
Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, and ends on 10 December, International
Human Rights Day, dates chosen to emphasize that gender-based violence is a
violation of human rights. The 16 Days Campaign is critical because it
brings the human rights framework to the fore and uses it to make sure that both
state and non-state actors around the world are aware and accountable.
The Campaign is successful because of the activism of millions of women and
tens of thousands of organizations worldwide, who are committed to ending
gender-based violence.
This year
the 16 Days Campaign continues with the theme: “From Peace in the Home to
Peace in the World: Let’s Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!”
Harare
Women Artists Join the Campaign
Since 2008,
Harare arts development organisation Pamberi Trust has been a part of this
global call to action, providing a platform at the Book Cafe through the FLAME
project (Female Literary, Arts and Music Enterprise) to raise awareness of and
join in the protest against gender-based violence, through music, poetry and
spoken-word; films, discussions and workshops.
Last year
in the lead up to the 16 Days, FLAME coordinated women artists for the launch
of the “Non-violence Toolkit” developed by the Women's Action Group (WAG) for
women in high density areas of Harare. This toolkit included a booklet
with information and guidance to help women understand their rights and how to
seek help should they find themselves in an abusive situation. As part of
this effort and to mark the launch of this booklet, FLAME coordinated and
managed two major concerts in Chitungwiza and Highfield featuring over thirty
women artists in September 2011.
 |
| Akua Naru set to be part of Pamberi Trust's 16 Days Events at the Book Cafe |
This year
FLAME is once again proud to be actively involved in the 16 Days Against Gender
Violence awareness campaign to stimulate action and discussion on this issue,
with a powerful programme of activities lined up at The Book Cafe from 24
November to 8 December. These include music and poetry performances from
some of Zimbabwe's most talented women artists; discussions, film-screenings,
and ‘A Workshop for Women Artists by Women Artists’. FLAME’s special
guest for the 16 Days programme is acclaimed international hip-hop artist Akua
Naru (US) who will be participating in several events in the programme, and
performing in the final concert on Sat 8 December, alongside Zimbabwean
artists.
END
Prepared by
Tawanda Mudzonga
For Pamberi
Trust
____________________________________________
BOOK
CAFE, 139 S.MACHEL AVE / 6th ST, HARARE
