Stakeholders converged at the Civic Centre Hall in Masvingo for a pivotal Gender-Based Violence (GBV) coordination meeting convened by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development. The primary focus was the rollout of the New National Gender Policy 2025-2030, a framework deeply rooted in Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
Mr. J. Mupinga, the Provincial Development Officer, inaugurated the meeting, underscoring its importance as a platform for bolstering collaboration amongst partners dedicated to eradicating GBV and fostering gender equality. He emphasized the policy as a vital instrument for collectively addressing the root causes of gender inequality, ensuring that all programs contribute effectively to achieving national development objectives.
The meeting facilitated comprehensive updates on GBV programming initiatives undertaken in the second quarter of 2025. Presentations highlighted community awareness campaigns, survivor support systems, legal and psychosocial services, and the empowerment of local leaders in prevention and response strategies. These efforts demonstrated a strong commitment to mitigating GBV and supporting survivors, despite ongoing challenges such as resource constraints and capacity deficits in rural areas.
A core element of the engagement involved a detailed exploration of the New National Gender Policy and its implications for stakeholders. Participants emphasized the critical need for harmonizing programming with the policy’s objectives, ensuring gender considerations are integrated into all interventions. Alignment with the policy is crucial not only for effective GBV response but also for achieving Vision 2030’s goal of a gender-equal and inclusive Zimbabwe.
The policy offers a unique opportunity to unify provincial GBV response efforts under a cohesive national framework. Stakeholders pledged to enhance coordination, improve monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and contribute substantively to national targets on gender equality and GBV elimination.
The Provincial Development Office lauded the partners for their dedication and urged them to continue aligning their programs with the policy. A coordinated, policy-driven approach is essential for realizing a violence-free and gender-equal Masvingo Province by 2030.
