By Chipo Gudhe
In an effort to address the rampant issue of gender-based violence (GBV) within certain communities, Chief Bunina of Lower Gweru has highlighted the urgent need to challenge and eradicate unwanted cultural practices that perpetuate such violence.
Speaking at a High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) stakeholder engagement Workshop in Kwekwe on Wednesday, Chief Bunina emphasized the importance of raising awareness and engaging traditional leaders to effect meaningful change.
Chief Bunina, a prominent advocate for gender equality, expressed concern over the prevalence of harmful practices that trigger GBV in some communities. He stressed that establishing a marked change requires the involvement of gender champions who can effectively raise awareness among community members.
“There are so many unwanted cultural practices in other areas. It will be good that we have engagement with our children who are educated in that area so that they can plough back information on changing environments so that we are on one page. It is the wish of every traditional leader to have a GBV-free community,” he said.
Moreover, Chief Bunina emphasized the need for organizations dedicated to combatting GBV to focus their efforts on engaging traditional leaders. Recognizing them as opinion leaders and custodians of the people, Chief Bunina believes that their influential role can significantly shift community perspectives and behaviours surrounding GBV.
By involving traditional leaders in the conversation on GBV, Chief Bunina hopes to challenge deeply-rooted cultural norms, encourage open dialogue, and mobilize communities to take a stand against gender-based violence. Chief Bunina further advocated for the allocation of resources towards initiatives that support the education and empowerment of traditional leaders on gender equality and respectful practices.
As traditional leaders, we have three levels that is kraal heads, headman, and chiefs and once we are at the same level we can push for GBV eradication. Once there is buy-in from traditional leaders our impact will be positive as traditional leaders influence the communities. We are happy as traditional leaders when we are empowered with information on curbing this problem. We are the custodians of ubuntu,” he said.
Chief Bunina’s call for increased engagement of traditional leaders has highlighted an essential strategy to combat GBV. By raising awareness and triggering conversations within these communities, it is hoped that a marked change will occur, leading to the eradication of unwanted cultural practices that perpetuate gender-based violence.
The High Impact Political Compact is a strategy for an effective response by the government in partnership with a range of stakeholders towards the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.
It was developed as a collective effort crucial to achieving a safer society for all aiming at increasing a high level of political will and commitment to eliminate violence against women and girls.
