By Wallace Mawire
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has raised concern over rising cases of sexual violence and has initiated a campaign against Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).
ZGC Chairperson, Dr Leslie Ncube said the commission is deeply concerned by the increasing reports of physical, sexual, emotional and other forms of violence occurring within intimate relationships, including cases that escalate into loss of life.
Dr Ncube said reports demonstrate that IPV and domestic violence remain a serious national concern within the broader discourse on gender-based violence.
‘The Zimbabwe Republic Police reports a number of cases of domestic violence and related offences, including cases that have escalated to grievous bodily harm, murder and suicide. In 2024, at least 13 838 cases of sexual offences and aggravated domestic violence were recorded across the country,” Dr Ncube said.
Also according to Dr Ncube, the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) 2023–2024 confirms that IPV remains widespread in Zimbabwe, with 27 percent of women aged 15 to 49 having experienced physical violence, while nine percent having experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
He said the survey also provides important evidence of violence experienced within intimate relationships.
He added that behind every reported case there may be many more incidents that remain hidden because of fear, stigma, economic dependence, shame, threats, social pressure, lack of information, concerns about family breakdown or limited access to support services.
He said his commission is deeply concerned by the increasing number of reported cases of fatal domestic disputes.
“ These incidents underscore the urgent need for strengthened early intervention, prevention, and coordinated national response mechanisms to prevent domestic conflicts from escalating into violence and loss of life,’ he said.
He said while women and girls bear a disproportionate burden of gender-based violence, the commission emphasises that intimate partner violence can also affect men and boys.
The commissions says the experiences of male survivors may remain hidden because of stigma, shame, fear of ridicule, harmful expectations around masculinity and limited access to appropriate support services.
It has therefore called for an inclusive and gender-sensitive response in which every survivor, regardless of gender, can access information, prevention and protection, support, justice and appropriate referral services.
The commissions says at the same time, responses must continue to recognise the particular vulnerability and the disproportionate impact of IPV on women and girls.
“A home should be a place of safety, dignity, love and respect not a place of fear,” the commission says.
The commission says it believes that preventing IPV is not only about protecting individuals but about protecting children, strengthening families and safeguarding the future of our communities.
They add that intimate partner violence cannot be dismissed as a private family matter, but is a a human rights, gender equality, social and development concern that requires a coordinated national response.
“The continued prevalence of IPV demonstrates the need to strengthen implementation, prevention, public awareness, reporting, referral mechanisms and access to support services,” the commission said.
According to the commission, in response to the situation, and also as one of the multi-stakeholder signatories to the High Level Compact to End Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices in Zimbabwe (HLPC) 2021-2030 was launched by President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa, in 2021
The commission said Zimbabwe’s High-Level Political Compact is also closely linked with the National Strategy to Prevent and Address GBV (2023-2030).
They add that the overarching goal of the HLPC roadmap is the complete eradication of sexual violence, child marriage, and IPV by 2030, anchored by localized operational benchmarks such as 20% to 30% Absolute Reduction.
The operational strategy aims for a minimum 20% to 30% reduction in the overall national prevalence of all forms of gender-based and intimate partner violence by 2030. Reallocating National Budget Responsibility, a primary goal is structural and financial sustainability.
The compact outlines targets to move away from a 90% heavy donor-funded GBV model to progressively higher domestic financing allocations via gender-responsive budgeting.
In view of the recent surge in IPV and also as part of efforts to consolidate the HLPC, Zimbabwe Gender Commission is announcing a 90-day National Campaign Against Intimate Partner Violence, running from October to December 2026 and culminating in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
The campaign seeks to move the national conversation beyond responding to violence after it occurs towards prevention, early identification of warning signs, mental health dialogue, healthy relationships, peaceful conflict resolution, reporting, survivor support and institutional accountability.
The campaign is a national, multi-stakeholder initiative bringing together Government, civil society, development partners, the private sector, communities, media, faith-based and traditional leaders.
The 90-day campaign will focus on five key areas such as public awareness and sensitisation; Government and institutional engagement, engaging men and boys as partners in prevention; working with faith and traditional leaders to promote peaceful homes; and promoting supportive and safe workplaces.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has also called on every Zimbabwean to be part of this campaign.
They said ending intimate partner violence cannot be left to the Police, Government, the Commission, civil society or survivors alone.
‘Everyone has a role to play in preventing violence, supporting survivors and building peaceful homes and safe communities,” the commission says.
The commission has called upon men and boys to reject violence and become champions of respectful relationships, women and girls to know their rights and seek support when experiencing violence, parents and families to teach children self-respect, open communication and peaceful conflict resolution, religious and traditional leaders to speak openly against violence, challenge harmful norms and promote peaceful families, employers and workplaces to establish safe referral and support mechanisms for employees affected by IPV,the media to report IPV accurately, ethically and responsibly, without sensationalism that may further harm survivors or stifle the key message – theneed for non-violent conflict resolution, Government institutions and service providers to strengthen prevention, protection, referral and justice mechanisms, civil society and development partners to continue supporting national efforts to prevent and respond to IPV communities not to ignore signs of violence but in line with the Anti-Domestic Violence Act 2007, to report it.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission says it believes that violence is preventable and peaceful homes are possible and communities must recognise the warning signs early, speak up when violence occurs, support survivors regardless of their gender, challenge harmful norms, promote mutually respectful relationships and strengthen referral and response systems.
“A peaceful home creates a safer family.Safer families create safer communities.
Safer communities contribute to a stronger and more prosperous Zimbabwe,” the Zimbabwe Gender Commission says.