Australia and Denmark host breakfast forum marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – 25 November 2015
On the morning of 25 November, the Australian Embassy and Danish Embassy Office in Harare marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women with a breakfast forum.
Participants wore orange in support of the UN Secretary General’s Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women. White ribbons were also provided to mark Australia’s White Ribbon Day.
Participants included members of civil society, human rights activists, representatives of other embassies and international organisations, the private sector, and the Zimbabwe-Australia Alumni Association.
Australian Ambassador Suzanne McCourt opened the event and her speech highlighted Australia’s commitment to this cause. In Zimbabwe, Australia supports organisations such as Plan International and Caritas Australia, on efforts that seek to raise awareness on violence against women. Plan International is currently running a campaign against child marriage, and also supports women with counselling, legal advice and referral services.
Ms Signe Winding Albjerg, Chargé d'Affaires at the Danish Embassy Office reaffirmed Denmark’s support to organisations that advocate for prevention of GBV and access to services for victims.
A three-member panel then took the stage.
Netty Musanhu, Director of the Musasa Project, an NGO providing frontline support services to survivors of GBV, spoke passionately about the 16 Days of Activism as a time to amplify the voices of the ordinary, powerful women. Citing the 15,000 women the organisation supported in 2014, she also urged advocates to use this time to reflect on their efforts and to celebrate successes.
Kelvin Hazangwi from Padare/Enkundleni/Men's Forum on Gender focussed on the positive role men can play to break the cycle of gender-based violence in society. Kevin highlighted the importance of engaging men in educating and raising awareness about violence against women.
The last speaker was Petronella Nyamapfene, director of the Justice for Children Trust, a legal aid organisation focussed on children’s rights, and one of the embassy’s Direct Aid Program partners. She highlighted the impacts of violence on children and their development, and particularly the way that abuse of children prevented their access to other rights, such as the right to education.
The panel called for more collaboration and creation of alliances between organisations working towards the cause; continued dialogue on GBV throughout the year; and for people to interrogate and understand how to engage men in seeking to change attitudes and behaviours.