STAFF WRITER
Government, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) have launched a High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) under the Spotlight Initiative aimed at eliminating all forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls.
The HLPC is the first of its own kind, a development that make Zimbabwe a trend-setter in showing strong political will to end gender based violence among 22 countries implementing the global joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa graced the occasion in Harare and delivered a keynote address reiterating his administration’s political commitment to eliminate gender based violence against women and girls to attain a Gender Based Violence free society by year 2030.
“Today, we recommit ourselves by making a declaration through the High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. As we do so, it is my conviction and hope that accelerated, adaptive and innovative implementation of global, regional and national commitments as outlined in the Action Plan of this HLPC will lead to our ultimate aspiration of a Gender Based Violence free society by 2030.” Mnangagwa said.
Mnangagwa also took to his twitter handle expressing his gratitude to EU Spotlight Initiative for its commitment to create a GBV free society.
“Zimbabwe’s women and girls deserve a future free from gender based violence. I’m proud to say that Zimbabwe and the EU have committed to making that future a reality. Thank you @TimoOlkkonen and @EUInZim for your hard work to achieve this,” said elated Mnangagwa.
EU Ambassador Timo Olkkonen applauded Zimbabwean government for its unwavering support to fight GBV and noted that the EU is committed to make a Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality a success.
“The Spotlight Initiative, entirely funded by the European Union, takes our commitments to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and particularly SDG 5 on gender equality, to the next level. The High-Level Political Compact adopted today by Zimbabwe is the first of its kind among all the Spotlight Initiative implementing countries around the world. Gender-based violence has become a national emergency and I would like to congratulate His Excellency, the President, for boldly declaring it as one with this High-Level Compact,” said Ambassador Olkkonen.
UN Resident Coordinator Maria Ribeiro hailed the launch of HLPC describing it as a step in the right direction that will culminate into channeling of more funds to fight GBV.
“The HLPC can help to increase budget on gender-based violence prevention services, which is critical to reduce the immense health, legal and productivity costs that the country continues to incur because of the scourge of violence against women and girls,” said Ribeiro.
Zimbabwe became an affiliated member of the Spotlight Initiative in 2019.
The Spotlight Initiative is a global multi-year partnership initiated by the EU and the UN in partnerships with governments to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030.
