By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator HE Edward Kallon said he was pleased to see how Civil Society Organisations were working side by side with young people through the Spotlight Innovators Against Gender-based Violence programme.
Speaking after meeting with Representatives of CSOs and youth Innovators Against Gender–based Violence in Bulawayo Tuesday, HE Kallon said Zimbabwe and the rest of world need to leverage the full potential of all generations in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in which gender equality (SDG5) is at the heart of the goals.
“I wish to congratulate you once again for the work that you are doing as CSOs and youth movement and to state that we have a collective responsibility to sustain the gains that have been made through the Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls,” he said.
This year’s International Youth Day celebrated on 12 August 2022 was themed Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages.
“Let us make use the Spotlight Initiative, generously funded to the tune of USD 30 million by the European Union and ably led by the Honourable Minister Dr Nyoni, Ministry of Women Affairs, to set a firm foundation for scaling and sustaining these gains.”
He said the United Nations in Zimbabwe remains committed to the realization of gender equality, women’s empowerment and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
“The UN in Zimbabwe is and will be with you in this struggle every step of the way until women and girls claim their right place in society on equal measure and equal footing free or violence and without any discrimination, bias, and marginalization,” he said.
“In pursuit of this endeavor we are proud to partner with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the European Union-funded Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls.
“The UN recognizes the role of CSOs as the heartbeat of communities and as the champions of women’s rights: holding community members, duty bearers and institutions accountable while supporting women and girls to know, claim and realize their rights.”
HE Kallon highlighted some of the overall achievements realized under the Spotlight Initiative to date:
- Zimbabwe became a pioneer in the Global Spotlight Initiative as the first country that managed to launch and have signed a multi-sectoral, High-Level Political Compact on the elimination of Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG)
- Led at the highest level by the President, His Excellency ED Mnangagwa, the commitments and actions of the Compact aims at ensuring that women and girls realize their full potential in a violence-free, gender-responsive and inclusive society.
- The Compact firmly elevates gender equality, women’s rights, women’s empowerment, and the elimination of violence against women and girls to the level of the Executive.
Through the Spotlight Initiative there has been the establishment of:
- Forensic Science DNA/Analysis Lab
- Data Protection Act (December 2021)- Online Violence Provisions
- First Model Safe Market for Women in Epworth
- Expansion of Victim-Friendly Courts (eg Harare Magistrates Court; Chipinge VF Court that I have had the opportunity to visit and appreciate the deliberations and proceedings in the Chipinge magistrate court )
- National Strategy on Ending GBV & Sexual Harassment in World of Work
- Expansion of GBV Services (shelters, safe spaces, call centers, mobile services to extend access) Meaningful youth participation through the Innovators Against GBV (IAG) programme
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