THE United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) Zimbabwe has donated a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle to help the Anti-Domestic Violence Council (ADVC) reach usually missed remote areas .
By Kudakwashe Pembere
Speaking at the handover ceremony, UNFPA Zimbabwe country director Dr Esther Muia said they have been supporting ADVC since its inception through understanding their role in Domestic Violence Act, tabling it in parliament and helping to build capacity as well as developing the Anti Domestic Violence Council first strategic plan. She said the vehicle was meant to improve access in hard to reach areas in the council’s activities.
“Without access in terms of transport reaching to different parts of the country. We thought about it and said what you need is a vehicle that can cross terrains. That’s why the thought of the land cruiser came into being,” said Dr Muia.
Dr Muia reaffirmed UNFPA Zimbabwe’s continued support to the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Civil Society as well as the Council in ending GBV.
“We are committed working with the ministry of women affairs, community, small to medium enterprises development because we realise you carry a big mandate and we stand to help you leverage support to move your mandate forward so that we have an enabling environment for our girls and women so that they can develop, prosper and fulfil their dreams and aspirations without fear and hindrance of any form,” she said.
As of the second quarter of 2019, there were 4118 reported cases of domestic violence. Rape cases were 1105 with attempted rapes being 74. There were 555 cases of sexual intercourse with a minor while indecent assaults were 356 with aggravated indecent assaults being 79.
Harare had the highest number of domestic violence cases standing at 1977 followed by Mashonaland East with 373 cases. Matebeleland North had the least number of reported cases with 73.
“I think the monitoring visits across the country are very, very critical and we look forward to you working with the people from the one stop centres as they do community outreach services. The donation that we have thought about is really in line with this because we realised domestic violence unlike some road traffic accidents which are visible and are reported, domestic violence often goes unreported and communities need to be reached,” she said.
Women Affairs Ministry Secretary Mr Melusi Matshiya thanked UNFPA for the donation.
“With this donation, the ADVC will be able to go out there to regulate and ensure that organisations on the ground are operating in line with the set standards. It will definitely go a long way in ensuring that the ADVC fulfils its mandate,” he said.
ADVC Chairperson Eunice Njovana said this is their first vehicle which will go a long way in executing their mandate.
“”We have at times not managed to go out there as often as we should due to mobility reasons but with this vehicle, we shall make sure that we go out there to fulfil our mandate which entails amongst many functions coordination, monitoring and awareness,” she said.
