#Hearmetoo: Call to safeguard Victims of Gender based Violence

As we end the end of the “16 days of activism against Gender Based violence” under the theme: #HearMetoo: End violence against women and children, we need reflect on the fundamentals that victims must be protected.

The focus aims at amplifying the voices f victims of violence over the years with the intention of taking action to stop this violation of human rights. This opinion piece redirects the focus on the victims of violence.

Last week on my twitter feed got the news of a Zimbabwean couple with contrasting perspectives on how their relationship ended up being violent. And the sad part was it was the victim who received more flack rather than the alleged perpetrator, with a bashed face shared all over social network.

Related was a video of man violently attacked and humiliated for being involved with a married woman. The focus was on the victims of the violence not the violence itself or the causes.

That got me thinking because the condemnation and vilification of the victim and the misinformation that goes with the story was deplorable. The effects of violence are detrimental to one’s mental well-being. The scars are incisive and sometimes lethal

A call to dialogue is on everyone including men who are the main perpetrators and policy makers who make laws to protect victims and stop the prevalence of such atrocious acts. However the focus has to be on the victim and the emotional and physical trauma they face

Abusive relationships between men and women are the main causes of gender based violence and femicide in sub Saharan Africa. There is constant need for behavioural change on why violence is not a solution to problems faced in relations.

All forms of violence should be condemned and the society needs to deal with issues that perpetrate gender based violence

Policy and laws should be promoted that protect victims of violence and prosecute perpetrators.

The international community, governments’ civil societies and woman right activists have joined hands to raise awareness over the years but the issues raised are still prevailing in today’s society. As we end the days of activism against violence on women, let’s continue to spread the message and promote dialogue for behavioural change, all years round