15 Sep 2020

 Sunshine Africa, a Non-Governmental Organization established in 2012, calls for radical approach towards building strong armies to eliminate gender based violence (GBV).

With GBV statistics increasing at an alarming rate, campaigns against the scourge have also been kept at a higher pace.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA, Sunshine Africa Chairperson Mr Anderson Mathibe said their organisation had a campaign plan to sensitise communities about GBV but their plans were derailed by the COVID-19  pandemic.

He said the campaign was mostly targeted men on this issue as they formed majority of GBV perpetrators.

Mr Mathibe expressed worry that GBV cases increased during the COVID-19 lockdown, saying this meant there was still a lot to be done before victory could be achieved.

He said as part of their campaign strategy, they planned a march for men as a way of encouraging them and keeping them abreast with issues of gender based violence.

The chairperson said until men understand clearly their roles and responsibilities in ending GBV, it might be difficult to bring an end to it.He added that the march  will avail them an opportunity to educate one another, learn and share experiences on best ways to avoid being a perpetrator of GBV.

Mr Mathibe said the campaign would also help address challenges faced by men and understand why some violate the rights of women and girls.

He further said it was important that solutions to these challenges be sought and strategies be put in place to fight GBV.

Mr Mathibe said it was time for a different approach to be used as a lot had been done but cases of GBV remained high.

He added that there was need to engage proper strategies and enactment of stiffer penalties for those who continue to propagate GBV.

The chairperson said the underlying strategies to win the war were ensuring that everyone got educated about the matter. ENDS