The Zimbabwe Gender Commission today joined various government ministries and agencies in a Wellness and Solidarity Walk and roadshow highlighting the prevalence of digital gender-based violence.
According to the commission’s Public Relations Manager, Joseph Munda, today’s event was held under the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, which has been themed “End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”.
“Together with 29 Government Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions, we stand united in the fight for gender equality.
“The theme addresses the high prevalence of online abuse. The theme also emphasizes confronting technology-facilitated violence, strengthening digital safety, and protecting women and girls from online harassment, cyberbullying, sextortion, and coordinated digital violence,” Munda said in an interview after the march.
“The purpose of the event was to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence through showing solidarity with women and girls experiencing digital harassment and online violence, raising public awareness on technology-facilitated GBV and the mental health impacts, providing wellness-focused engagement (Zumba, fitness, health checks) as part of holistic GBV-prevention, mobilizing ministries, institutions, community groups, and partners to take collective action and amplifying ZGC messaging through a mobile public address system, roadshow, and live community engagement.”
“We are committed to creating safe spaces for everyone — in our homes, communities, workplaces, and online. We say no to all forms of violence, both offline and online,” Munda added.
Every year, from 25 November to 10 December, the world marks 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
According to the United Nations, violence against women and girls affects one in three women.
“It is a global human rights emergency that must stop. As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action – one of the most progressive international agreements on women’s rights to date – the UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE 2025 campaign focuses on one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse: digital violence against women and girls,” UN Women said in a note.
This year’s campaign is also a reminder that digital safety is central to gender equality.
