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Statement on the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
The Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe
December 01, 2011

MMPZ joins Zimbabwe, Africa and the rest of the world in commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

MMPZ's monitoring of Zimbabwe's domestic media reveals that these news sources have learned to pay attention to gender-based violence issues for the duration of the 16 Days' campaign but that this issue quickly slips into obscurity afterwards. The problems society faces in relation to gender-based violence present themselves on a daily basis and should not only attract prominent media coverage during these 16 days of the awareness campaign.

MMPZ believes the Zimbabwean media should be more consistent in their coverage of gender-related violence - especially in view of recent reports that it is on the increase - and to keep this issue on the public agenda on a more regular basis throughout the year. Regular news features, topical debates and regular comparative statistical reports will go a long way towards creating the public debate necessary to reverse this ugly trend and towards encouraging a better informed, more tolerant and mature community.

In our report earlier this year reporting on the media's attitudes to gender-related issues in general, MMPZ noted that there has been some progress in raising awareness about gender issues in the media.

However, in order to put an end to sexual stereotyping and to promote gender parity MMPZ recommended that the media consider the resolution of these problems a priority for our society. It also recommended that:

• The media should implement recommendations by internationally and regionally recognized gender instruments, such as the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women;
• Government and civic society should intensify their networking with tertiary institutions, media unions and training institutions, as well as editors' forums, to promote gender-sensitive policies;
• Media regulatory bodies such as the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) should develop regulations that discourage gender offensive content; and
• Civic society should intensify awareness campaigns and workshops with stakeholders to discuss national strategies against gender-based violence.

MMPZ stands together with the rest of the world in saying "From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Let's Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Women!"

Visit the MMPZ fact sheet

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