By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon says rape is one of the worst forms of sexual-gender-based violence.
In his remarks on Wednesday at HeForShe Diplomats and Business Leaders Dialogue in Harare, Mr Kallon said there was no excuse to defend rape.
“I want to underline that no one says YES to rape. There is no excuse to defend rape. Being drunk, wearing a mini skirt, she said ‘maybe,’ or flirting are not excusing for rape,” Mr Kallon said.
While there is still under-reporting of gender-based violence particularly rape of women and girls and specially of late children, he said, the statistics reported in the media paints an alarming situation.
Economically, an estimated 84% of employable Zimbabweans are in the informal economy, of which approximately 67% are women.
“Zimbabwe is an agrarian society with a large population of women engage in Agriculture It is only right and strategic to ensure they have access to financial resource and means of production to be active and productive citizens in society.
“As members of the private sector and Diplomatic Corps, this is where your decisive roles in providing requisite resources and calling for policies and legislation and access for women and partnerships with the Government of Zimbabwe and the UN Development System are critical,” he said.
He said Diplomats and business leaders convened under the HeForShe forum could use their influence and position to call for and ensure that development programmes and projects have a strong gender lens for women and girls’ welfare
“In health, strides are being made in reducing HIV infection rates and success in reaching some of the SDG goals such as reduction in maternal mortality rates and ensuring that women participate and are part of a growing society… not charity cases,” he said.
He said the He4She campaign was designed to include men in the gender equality discourse which was not just a women’s issue but a human rights issue.
He urged Zimbabweans to join the #HeForShe movement and enhance advocacy at all levels in Zimbabwe seek to:
- Accelerate women’s economic empowerment
- Support women’s role in peace and security processes
- Advance women’s political participation and leadership
- Eliminate gender-based violence
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