"On the cricket field, players must be tenacious, competitive, and even aggressive - whether bowling or batting. But above all, they must be respectful..."

Zimbabwe Cricket Captain Sikandar Raza captured this sentiment perfectly when he declared, “Respect must lead by example on the field. This respect and leadership must also show off the field. Respect must reject any form of violence against women and girls. Respect must always be at the core of who we are.”

These powerful words and that of other Zimbabwe Cricket players are being amplified across Zimbabwe through social media and radio as part of a national effort to combat gender-based violence (GBV). 

For many Zimbabweans, cricket is more than just a sport, it is a shared passion, a cultural touchstone, and now, a vehicle for social change. As players, fans, and communities rally around the game, they are also rallying around the message that true leadership and strength come from standing up for the rights and dignity of women and girls.

Recognizing the unifying power of sport, UNFPA Zimbabwe partnered with Zimbabwe Cricket to use cricket as a platform for advocacy and community engagement. 

This collaboration aims to raise awareness about GBV, harmful practices, and the importance of empowering women and girls. Working with the Adult Rape Clinic and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MOWACSMED) this partnership is helping reach the Zimbabwe population with messages and information on GBV prevention and where to access services in the event of abuse.

Ongoing Impact of the #72Hours Campaign

Since its launch in November 2024, the #72Hours Campaign continues to raise awareness about the critical importance of timely access to services - within 72 hours - for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The campaign sought to address the gap where fewer than 35% of survivors have access to medical care, psychosocial support, and legal assistance.

The campaign kicked off in November 2024 and has featured video messages of cricket players and other generic videos on social media during the 16 days of activism and beyond, with various messages on positive masculinity and importance to seek support within 72 hours.

To effectively disseminate the campaign's message across diverse communities in rural and urban areas, radio is also being used.  Ninety (90) second public service announcements in both English and local languages (Ndebele, Kalanga and Shona), highlighting the urgency of seeking medical attention within 72 hours following an incident of sexual violence are being broadcasted. 

Continued outreach for GBV prevention and response

In the first quarter of 2025, UNFPA and Zimbabwe Cricket organized a series of outreach events on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe and Ireland tournament. In February 2025, during the Zimbabwe-Ireland cricket series at Harare Sports Club, UNFPA Zimbabwe and Adult Rape Clinic set up an exhibition stand offering information on GBV services and SRHR. Fans were encouraged to visit the stand, engage with educational materials, and participate in a raffle for a chance to win a signed Zimbabwe Cricket jersey.

The partnership exemplifies how sports can serve as a platform for social change, fostering a culture of respect and equality both on and off the field.

"We believe that sports can drive social transformation, and our collaboration with Zimbabwe Cricket is helping to bring critical conversations about GBV and SRHR to the forefront," said Ms Miranda Tabifor, UNFPA Zimbabwe Representative.

Strengthening GBV Response Services with the Adult Rape Clinic

In parallel, UNFPA Zimbabwe has continued its close engagement with the Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) to enhance GBV response services. ARC remains a crucial partner in providing comprehensive care to survivors of sexual violence, including medical, psychosocial, and legal support. Between February and March, 406 women and girls visited ARC clinics in Gokwe, Harare, Kadoma, Masvingo and Mutare, where they received critical GBV services, including psychosocial support, health services and transport support. 

Since January 2025, UNFPA has supported ARC in scaling up its services and outreach activities, ensuring that survivors receive timely and survivor-centered care. This includes strengthening referral pathways, and expanding outreach efforts to raise awareness on GBV, the importance to seek support within 72 hours after sexual violence and the availability of services. Overall, ARC's outreach efforts across six cities in Zimbabwe have engaged 13,496 individuals.

Looking Ahead

The partnership between UNFPA Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Cricket, and the Adult Rape Clinic underscores the importance of a multi-sectoral approach in tackling GBV. As 2025 progresses, UNFPA remains committed to deepening these collaborations, expanding advocacy efforts, and enhancing service delivery to ensure that survivors receive the care they need while fostering a culture of zero tolerance for GBV.

Through continued engagement with the sporting community, service providers, and policymakers, UNFPA Zimbabwe is working towards a future where every individual can live free from violence and with dignity.

By Bertha Shoko