#genderequality #SustainingTheGains #GBV Momentum continued to build today in Bindura, Mashonaland Central as the Ministry represented by the Permanent Secretary Dr. Mavis Sibanda joined the second and final day of the high-level Spotlight/Sustaining the Gains Mission, led by the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), and the Embassy of Switzerland. The mission brought together key stakeholders for an in-depth field assessment of the lasting impact, achievements, and sustainability of the EU-funded Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative. The two-day field mission further provided an opportunity to highlight the transformative progress made in the fight against gender-based violence, as well as in the protection and empowerment of women and girls across Zimbabwe. The One Stop Centres (OSC) in Harare and Mashonaland Central have recorded a lot of successes through provision of timely services to GBV victims with the OSC at Bindura hospital having served over 3000 survivors since its inception in 2020. Across the two Provinces, One Stop Centres continue to bring multiple essential services together in one location, reducing the need for survivors to travel from office to office while seeking help. Challenges faced by OSCs: -Underreporting of GBV cases -shortage of OSCs -Resource constraints -lack of digital case management systems -unprecedented increase of GBV cases especially in Mash-Central Province.

#SustainingTheGains #genderequality #UN #womenempowerment The Ministry today joined a high-level Spotlight/Sustaining the Gains Mission, led by the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), and the Embassy of Switzerland, on a field tour to assess the impact and achievements of the EU-funded Zimbabwe Spotlight Initiative. The two-day mission seeks to evaluate the programme’s progress, highlight key successes, and strengthen ongoing efforts to sustain gains made in advancing the rights, protection, and empowerment of women and girls across Zimbabwe. The field visit kicked off with a tour of the #Zimbabwe Republic Police CID Forensics/DNA Lab, the Public Service Commission and the Epworth Safe Market, and Epworth Static #GBV One Stop Centre. On day two, the mission will extend its visit to Mashonaland Central and tour the #GBV Static One-Stop Centre and the Feminist Knowledge Hub at the Institute of Young Women in Development (IYWD) in Bindura. Objectives of the field mission include: • To provide an opportunity for the mission to learn of the Spotlight Initiative’s support and ongoing work under the successor programme, Sustaining the Gains, with stakeholders and partners in Government, and communities • To showcase the GBV-WEE nexus demonstrated through the Epworth Safe Market and One-Stop Centre model in Harare Province (Epworth) • To provide an opportunity for the mission to hold discussions with Implementing Partners on their work, changes that have occurred, and sustainability initiatives. UNFPA Zimbabwe EU Delegation to Zimbabwe Ministry of Information, Publicity & Broadcasting Services