![](https://566448.40t4n.group/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GBV.jpg)
Mutsawashe Mashandure
Herald Correspondents
The Government is committed to creating a more equitable society through the regulation of progressive laws and policies that promote gender equality, Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Minister
Monica Mutsvangwa has said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said this while addressing participants who took part in a march from Rainbow Towers to Town House in Harare today (Wednesday).
The event was organised by the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe and UN Women, in partnership with Team Europe.
Minister Mutsvangwa said the event was crucial as it served as one of the commemorative activities of the Beijing +30 Campaign, following Zimbabwe’s launch of the campaign on December 9, 2024.
The minister highlighted that this year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing 1995) and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
“The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, outlines a comprehensive roadmap for achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment. It addresses 12 key areas,” she said.
“The HeForShe solidarity march is a significant initiative that highlights the crucial involvement of men in our shared efforts to attain gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence (GBV). GBV is a widespread problem that demands the active participation of everyone, especially men and boys,” she said.
The minister urged stakeholders to join hands in eradicating gender inequality.
“Together, we must challenge societal norms that perpetuate violence and create environments where women and girls can navigate public spaces with confidence and dignity, free from fear.
“While the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is celebrated each year from November 25 to December 10, conducting this initiative today reflects our understanding that the fight against GBV is not confined to a specific timeframe,” she said.
The minister stressed that in 2021, the Government of Zimbabwe committed to ending GBV by officially launching the first-ever High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) on Ending Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices (2021-2030).
The incoming #HeForShe co-chair, Canadian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Adler Aristide said they are committed to providing more support for the advancement of gender equality in Zimbabwe.
“I see it as an opportunity for me to commit to promoting gender equality in all spaces, both physical and online, that I have access to by virtue of my position as the Ambassador of Canada,” he said.