SAFETY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS AGAINST VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN PUBLIC SPACES IN CHITUNGWIZA, HARARE, ZIMBABWE

Abstract

Introduction: No one should be subjected to any form of violence publicly or privately. The level of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe remains high and a barrier to women’s active participation in development. At least >68% of women in the Sothern African Development Community have experienced some form of GBV during their life time. The research aimed at promoting full recognition, realization and protection of the rights of women and girls against all forms of gender-based violence and threats, by advocating for women friendly and safe community environments. Methods: Simple random sampling was used to administer the questionnaires to women and girls, boys and men in the community. Cluster sampling by age and gender was employed first and followed by a random selection within the clusters for focus group participants. Purposive sampling was also used. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, structured interviews and observation were utilised. Results: Women and girls experienced physical, sexual, psychological and verbal abuse violence in public spaces. Public spaces included bus termini/ ranks, aboard public transport, at market places, shopping centres, beer halls, at stadiums, in the streets and along bushy pathways in and around the communities. Female respondents were harassed without recourse although acutely aware of procedures of reporting cases of violence to the police. Most women experienced police stations as being far away. Normally, authorities did nothing to the perpetrators of domestic violence. Conclusion: Ensuring women and girls safety in public spaces was recommended as government priority area. Streetlights erection, provision of running water in homes, more public toilets construction, establishment of viable reporting mechanisms for violence and sexual harassment were needed. Women wanted law enforcers and local service providers trained on gender sensitivity and taking reported cases seriously. Guarantying the exercise of right freedom of movement, permitting women to carry out their activities without fear is needed.