Campaign Story

In Zimbabwe, 42.7% of women between the ages of 15-49 have experienced domestic violence in their lives. Due to gender inequality, women often don’t have access to the same level of education as men, leading to them becoming financially dependent on their husbands. Many men also feel as though they ‘own their wives’ because of the Lobola (Bride Price) paid before marriage. This issue doesn’t just affect the women but many have children who have to witness or be subjected to the same violence.

Action Change is working with local partners to tackle SDG 5 – Gender Equality, by providing a life-line for women in abusive relationships to reach out to for help as well as provide therapy and tools so that they can become independent and earn an income. They seek to help women who are forcibly in the sex-trade to transition to alternative economically empowering activities, as well as educate and campaign against the recruitment of children into the commercial sex trade.

By providing assistance and therapy to women in difficult situations they hope to empower them to become independent and seek viable and safe forms of employment. This will increase their contribution to the economy and and towards reducing inequality. COVID 19 aggravated the issue of domestic violence, but the recent instalment of a domestic violence phone line has been a huge success in providing women with a way to get help.