The government says it remains firmly committed to eliminating Gender Based Violence (GBV), as it acknowledges significant gains made through the Spotlight Initiative, a global UN-EU-funded programme.
Speaking to ZBC News, the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, said the programme has surpassed its original target, reaching over five million beneficiaries, more than double the projected two million.
“The Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative Country programme has recorded significant gains. Of note is the High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) on Gender Based Violence which was signed by the President in October 2021, and has demonstrated a high-level political commitment to end violence against women and girls as well as harmful practices, including child marriages. To date, the Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative programme has reached over five million beneficiaries exceeding the targeted two million,” she said.
Zimbabwe is among 22 countries participating in the global €500 million UN–EU Spotlight Initiative, receiving US$30 million in support.
“The programme has been implemented by the UN in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and SME Development, Civil Society Reference Group, and many other partners across the country. The programme directly and indirectly targets beneficiaries, particularly rural women and girls, women and girls living with disabilities, and women living with HIV. Safe shelters have been constructed across the country’s provinces, offering services to GBV survivors, including one-stop centres,” Senator Mutsvangwa said.
The government says the collaborative model, bringing together civil society groups, UN agencies, and government ministries, is key to the continued success of GBV prevention and survivor support mechanisms.
