GENDER-BASED violence (GBV) is a generational curse that has gone on for far too long and must be stopped.
This is what Youth Envoy at the African Union Commission, Chido Cleopatra Mpemba said at this year's third Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity.
The conference hosted by the African Union in Tshwane on Monday, 27 November ahead of the 16 Days of Activism works towards accelerating commitments towards ending violence against women.
Mpemba said the violence against women had gone on for far too long but what was more concerning to her was the increased number of criminal cases being withdrawn by victims due to a lack of access to resources. She said GBV is not a ticking time bomb but a bomb already, which needed to be attended to speedily.
Issues such as poverty, distance from police stations and courts were hindering factors that contribute to victims getting justice, she said.
As a result, she held the accountability stick to duty barriers to provide access to the underprivileged and marginalised communities.
"One case has become far too many and it is worrisome. GBV has not only become a men’s issue or a women's issue but a human issue, a societal issue, and a conventional issue that breaks down to national issue," she said.
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Mpemba urged ranking officials to strengthen their fight in ending this "pandemic" and to be allies towards an Africa that is peaceful, prosperous and safe for all girls and women, men are asked to also step up.
A recent report by the United Nations indicated that in the last 12 months one in five women worldwide have experienced physical and or sexual violence perpetrated by men as intimate partners.
It is for such reasons that the United Nations Resident Coordinator to South Africa, Nelson Muffuh argued that it's time to champion positive masculinity which will promote healthy and constructive behaviour, attitude and values associated with being a man.
“All the men in the room are urged to reinforce their commitment and advanced actions in combating violence against women and girls. I too express my commitment in championing positive masculinity. A call that is not just the responsibility but a moral obligation," said Muffuh.
He further urged men to engage as gender advocates and speak out as active agents and partners that can transform social norms, behaviours and gender stereotype that prolong discrimination and inequality.
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma agreed with Muffuh, saying that the fight against violence doesn't only end in homes but in communities, churches, workplaces and in the education system.
