By Staff Reporter
A Wedza-based organisation has paid tribute to a disabled woman who was raped and killed by a serial killer early this year in its statement to mark the 16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence(GBV).
In a statement, Wedza Residents Development Initiative Trust (WERDIT) said this year’s theme “UNITE! to end violence against women and girls”, is befitting following the rape gruesome murder of Chipo Gwese, a woman with disability in March.
“The theme is quite befitting given the reality that violence against women and girls remains the most pervasive human rights violation in the district and beyond.
” Already exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, its prevalence is now being further heightened by the emerging challenges of climate change, global conflict and economic instability. The case of Chipo Gwese, a woman with a disability who was killed in cold blood on the 20th of March 2022 by a serial killer whom she was hanging with remains very shocking and a testimony of how women are vulnerable to violence, “bemoaned WERDIT.
To commemorate the 16 days of activism against GBV, the organisation is encouraging an inclusive approach in fighting the scourge.
” From today till the 10th of December 2022, WERDIT is encouraging diverse residents groups in the district to get involved: from raising the voices of survivors and fire-brand women’s activists to supporting women’s initiatives towards their rehabilitation as equal partners with their male counterparts and ultimately their empowerment, reduction and prevention of violence against women and girls, and protection of women’s rights, “it added.
According to the organisation, its Peace Structures known as Community Advocacy Teams (CATs) in all the wards ‘have managed to unearth a total of 40 cases of GBV between May and November 2022 and have been brought to the attention of relevant authorities in the district’.
WERDIT operates in 15 wards and has been working hand in gloves with the Zimbabwe Republic Police(ZRP) and Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, council and the District Development Coordinator’s(DDC) Office in many interventions of eradicating GBV.
