Justice is served in Mozambique

Johannesburg, 7 March 2017: Gender Links (GL) joins in celebrating the victory of Josina Machel won in a recent high profile domestic violence case against her ex-boyfriend which left her blind in one eye. Although the perpetrator was given a suspended sentence and still wishes to appeal it, this is a bold statement that all perpetrators must be brought to account for their violations against women.

It is disheartening that Gender Based Violence (GBV) continues to be rife in SADC with many women regardless of social standing surviving GBV but at worst losing their lives every day. In another high profile domestic violence case in Mozambique, Valentina Guebuza was reportedly murdered by her husband, in Maputo in 2016. Recently in South Africa   , Hillbrow, a man shot dead a family of five. One of the victims is alleged to be the perpetrators partner.  These are just two examples of Intimate Partner Violence that have received much attention but are reflective of the realities of GBV in the region. Many other cases in the region remain unreported in the justice system and also receive very little media coverage.

In a country that has high levels of GBV like Mozambique it is important that stiffer sentences are imposed for those who are guilty. Mozambique is amongst the 15 SADC countries that have enacted legislation on domestic violence, have accessible, affordable and specialised services including legal aid and offer specialised facilities including shelters for survivors of GBV. However, in this fight against GBV continued commitment by governments is needed. We need to move from policy to action to eradicate GBV, and all other forms of gender inequality.

There is urgent need for radical transformation concerning GBV. A recent gender attitudes survey conducted by the Southern African Gender Protocol Alliance in 2016 reveals that a proportion of 42% women in Mozambique and 54% men agree or strongly agree that if a man beats a woman it shows that he loves her. Also, a proportion of 45% women and 62% men agree or strongly agree that if  a woman does something wrong her husband has the right to punish her. It is such attitudes that indicates the need to deliberately transform gender norms and attitudes of women and men to start viewing GBV as a scourge in our societies that remains the most pervasive violation against women instead of normalising it.

This judgement is a cause for celebration for all women as we approach International Women’s Day. It is important to #BeBoldForChange by reporting and speaking out against GBV in our communities.

Tarisai Nyamweda is the Media Coordinator at Gender Links.

Author: Tarisai Nyamweda