MDC ALLIANCE ASSEMBLY OF WOMEN STATEMENT ON THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV) internationally and the Assembly of Women joins the rest of the world in commemorating the annual campaign, which ends on the 10th of December, which is the Human Rights Day. In actual fact it should be 365 days of activism against gender based violence awareness if we are to create a peaceful society.
Our theme this year is “Orange the World; End violence against women and girls” and the colour orange continues to be used to raise awareness on GBV.
As we commemorate these days amid a global pandemic of Covid 19, we mourn the escalation of statistics of gender based violence victims especially during lockdown where couples, partners and families were forced to spend all their entire time under one roof. This created tension in relationships resulting in deaths and/or injuries.
We note with great concern the violation of human rights by the Mnangagwa government as it crafted draconian covid laws and restrictions. Of major concern is the harrassment of civilians by state securities as they tried to demonstrate against the deterioration of services during covid 19, together with the looting of covid funds by the then Minister of Health, Obediah Moyo and other relevant authorities.
Gender based violence is in self a violation of several women rights such as the right to life, the right to equal protection, freedom from torture, degrading and inhumane treatment, right to dignity, the right to equality and also the right to physical and mental health.
It is therefore very important that we demand the government to respect the rights of the women by adhering to the constitution. We also say no to the amendment of the people’s constitution by few individuals and demand the alignment of all acts to the constitution. The MDC Alliance under the able leadership of Adv Nelson Chamisa, will continue to fight for a people’s government that respects women and all human beings regardless of ther gender, colour, tribe, political affiliation, race, sex, marital status and or creed
B. Tanyanyiwa
Spokesperson – MDCA Assembly of Women
