Tendai F Ndagumirwa

Ending gender based violence is a challenge that all stakeholders need to act on. Makoni Rural District Council has made the following efforts through the following:

1. Women ’s group revolving fund. Council initially advanced 10 groups of women with cash loans which they have used to start projects. This has managed to keep them busy. Economic emancipation of women has managed to reduce gender based violence as women are no longer reliant of their spouse ’s income.

2. With the help of development partners, we have managed to build a safe house where victims or survivors of gender based violence are kept. All victims are aware of the district referral pathway where they are assisted by different specialised personnel from clinical to legal aid, i.e. One Stop Centre.

3. Council has an AIDS policy which seeks to address stigmatisation of those affected. This has seen staff benefiting more than the policies.

4. Council has empowered women through the campaigns and workshops we have had with community which also targeted traditional leaders and church leaders.

These leaders have taken it upon themselves to campaign and en d gender based violence.

5. In changeover of properties, council has a policy that no one can change ownership without the other spouse. They all should agree and sign on documents. Council now writes names of both spouses on leases documents and land permits.

Design training content based on best practice

Training should start with issues that personnel may be more comfortable to discuss.

It should include how to identify security priorities, the health working conditions in personnel, legal obligations of police related to human rights, violence against women and gradually introduce more sensitive subjects such as gender equality and violence. This helps to build trust between participants and trainers which is critical for effective discussing of taboo, controversial issues challenges on their attitudes and practices.

Existing material should be reviewed and adopted where possible to maximise time and resources and build on best practices.

Specific relevant curricular and materials should be developed to suit academic, gender units; ministries supported by development partners and donor agencies. It is also good to consolidate these materials and have a more specific training in areas like investigation and interview any training curricular.

* Violence against women should be addressed with a standard curricular and should include topics like:

* General gender equality and diversity awareness e.g. meanings of gender versus sex, masculinities /femininity, gender mainstreaming and equal participation.

* Respect and promotion of human rights including rights of women and girls.

* How the security needs and perceptions of women, men, boys and girls differ or are alike.

* The types, causes and consequences of gender inequality and violence against women.

* Institutional policies and codes of conduct on domestic violence discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation.

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