The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
CIVIC society organisation, International Institute for Development Facilitation (IIDF) has rolled out an intensive awareness and control programme against abuse of human rights of vulnerable members in Manicaland communities during the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown period. In partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Government departments as well as a host of other key stakeholders under the Dreams Consortium, the IIDF initiative has seen the establishment of systems to assist victims of gender based violence (GBV) and child abuse.
Through the use of toll free numbers in reporting cases and transfer of survivors to safe environments, survivors of GBV and child abuse in areas like Mutare, Mutasa, Makoni and Buhera districts are set to get instant relief.
In an interview on the sidelines of a road show that covered Tsvingwe, Dangamvura, Chikanga, Hobhouse and Sakubva on Wednesday, IIDF programmes director, Mr Christian Mataruka said the need for mechanisms to fight abuse of human rights in the context of GBV and child abuse cannot be overemphasised, more so during the Covid-19 lockdown period.
“We are all aware of the sharp increase in cases of GBV and abuse of children’s rights, our initiative is based on that. This is an intervention meant to protect the vulnerable members of our communities who are suffering without any avenue to let out their ordeals,” said Mr Mutaruka.
One of the facilitators of the programme, IIDF programmes officer Mr Nokutula Muisa said the gist of their awareness campaign was to stress that children’s rights should be protected.
“Children’s rights should be protected. There should also be proper guidance on safe practices in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. As we move around high-density suburbs, children are playing on the roads without any regard of social distancing, this in itself indicates poor safety standards for children.
“Covid-19 is here and we need to safeguard our children’s right to health. This also covers issues to do with violent or sexual abuse of children during this lockdown period. We are facilitating easier movement of victims to safe places, away from perpetrators. Toll free numbers have been made public to enable easier access of help to those in need,” he said.
Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises provincial administration officer, Mr Confidence Mugari said the programme was being rolled out within the parameters of Covid-19 precautionary measures.
“We have carried out this programme in a manner that also pays attention to Covid-19 precautionary measures. We are ensuring that people do not congregate, but at the same time getting the message to the people through a powerful Public Address system as well as live radio broadcast. We are happy with the numbers we have managed to reach out to given the communication channels we chose. The engagement with members of the public has been fantastic and fruitful,” he said. The IIDF road show was broadcasted live on Zimpapers’ radio channel Diamond FM.
Apart from IDF and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small to Medium Enterprises, other key stakeholders in this programme included the Mutare City Council, the Ministry of Home Affairs through their Victim Friendly Unit, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Childline, Family Support Trust, FACT and Plan International under the Dreams Consortium.
Mutare City Council health promotion officer, Ms Melody Muga said this was one of their initiatives in promoting residents’ good health.
“We have been active in a number of health promotion initiatives and this is one of our ways of showing our commitment to ensuring safety and good health,” she said.
