By Vongai Hillary Masuka
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has announced a 90-day national campaign against Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), running from October to December 2026 and culminating in the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.
Addressing the media at the Commission’s headquarters in Harare, ZGC chairperson Dr. Leslie Ncube said the campaign was a direct response to the recent surge in IPV cases and part of efforts to consolidate the High-Level Political Compact (HLPC) to end gender-based violence and harmful practices in Zimbabwe.
“In view of the recent surge in IPV and also as part of efforts to consolidate the HLPC, Zimbabwe Gender Commission is therefore announcing a 90-day national campaign against intimate partner violence running from October to December 2026 and culminating in the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence,” he said.
Dr. Ncube said the campaign seeks to change the way the country deals with violence in the home.
“The campaign seeks to move the national conversation beyond responding to violence after it occurs towards prevention, early identification and warning signs, mental health dialogue, healthy relationships, peaceful conflict resolution, reporting, survivor support, and institutional accountability,” he said.
The ZGC chairperson described the initiative as a collective undertaking and not the work of the Commission alone.
“The campaign is a national multi-stakeholder initiative bringing together government, civil society, development partners, the private sector, communities, media, faith-based and traditional leaders,” said Dr. Ncube.
The Commission announced that the 90-day campaign is set to concentrate on five areas.
“The 90-day campaign will focus on five key areas: public awareness and sensitization, government and institutional engagement, engaging men and boys as partners in prevention, working with faith and traditional leaders to promote peaceful homes, and support and promote supportive and safe workplaces,” he said.
The campaign is closely linked to the HLPC 2021-2030, launched by President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2021, and to the National Strategy to Prevent and Address GBV 2023-2030.
Dr. Ncube said the overarching goal of the HLPC roadmap is the complete eradication of sexual violence, child marriage and IPV by 2030, anchored by localised operational benchmarks.
The strategy aims for a minimum 20 to 30 percent reduction in the overall national prevalence of all forms of gender-based and intimate partner violence by 2030.
The compact also sets out to reduce the country’s dependence on donor funding.
The Commission has appealled to all Zimbabweans to join the campaign, stressing that the fight against IPV could not be left to institutions alone.
“The Zimbabwe Gender Commission calls on every Zimbabwean to be part of this campaign. Ending intimate partner violence cannot be left to the police, government, and the Commission. Everyone has a role to play in preventing violence, supporting survivors, and building peaceful homes and safe communities,” said Dr. Ncube.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission believes that violence is preventable and peaceful homes are possible.
