In a recent assessment of gender-based violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe, it was revealed that a significant number of women in the country continue to face physical and sexual violence. According to the assessment, approximately 39.4% of women have experienced physical violence, while an estimated 11.6% have been victims of sexual violence.
While Zimbabwe has made efforts to address GBV by implementing various laws and policies, there is still a need for more effective enforcement and legal frameworks to combat these issues. Eneida Fernandes, the World Bank Country Manager for Zimbabwe, emphasized the importance of amending the Domestic Violence Act to address harmful cultural practices and expand its coverage beyond the domestic sphere.
The assessment also highlighted the necessity of strengthening coordination platforms and improving the Anti-Domestic Violence Council to enhance the country's response to GBV incidents. Recommendations from the report include the implementation of targeted awareness campaigns to change social and gender norms towards non-violence and respectful relationships, particularly in GBV hotspots.
In addition to GBV, gender disparities persist in various sectors in Zimbabwe. The Gender Assessment revealed that women are underrepresented in wage employment, overrepresented in the informal labor market, and face challenges such as high rates of teenage pregnancies and child marriages. Women are also more likely to earn less than men, with men outnumbering women in most industries.
To address these gender disparities, the report recommends supporting socio-economic skills training for women, providing childcare services, addressing the gender gap in land ownership, and offering low-cost finance options for women to purchase land and agricultural tools. These measures aim to empower women economically and socially, ultimately contributing to closing the gender gap in Zimbabwe.