Women play a critical role in sustainable development. When they are educated and healthy, their families, communities and countries benefit. Yet, gender based violence undermines opportunities for women and denies them the ability to fully utilize their basic human rights. In Zimbabwe, about 1 in 3 women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence and about 1 in 4 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

In an effort to reduce GBV, UNFPA works with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, sister UN agencies and civil society towards increasing availability and utilization of GBV services by survivors as well as reducing tolerance for GBV in communities.
The main thrust of the programme is increasing awareness of gender responsive laws and services; the provision of health care, psychosocial support and legal aid to survivors of GBV’ mobilizing men and young people to support gender equality; GBV prevention through community mobilization; and supporting GBV referral and coordination mechanisms at district and community level.