BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will collaborate with the Zimbabwe Cricket to raise awareness on Gender Based Violence and all other forms of violence women and girls.
This partnership will bank on the huge following for cricket as well as having players serve as role models on and off the field of play.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Friday in Harare; UNFPA Representative Miranda Tabifor described the partnership as a landmark event.
“We know how the nation loves cricket and the cricket players serve as models within the society and we believe that through this partnership and the influence and the power that they have in the community; we are going to advance the good cause of reducing Gender Based Violence in Zimbabwe,” said Tabifor.
Added Tabifor: “indeed today is a historic day, for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), it is historic for us because it is a great pleasure for us to proceed in this landmark signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding with Zimbabwe Cricket Association.
“It is a framework and collaboration to strengthen awareness raising on issues of Gender Based Violence and all other forms of violence against women, including to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights of the women and young people in Zimbabwe.
“The partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket Association is pivotal to UNFPA’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which notes that; I quote: UNFPA will expand its multi-stakeholder partnerships and innovative collaborations for impact.
“It also notes that organisations, associations and initiatives are essential to the achievement of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The partnership is an accelerator in achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reducing maternal mortality including within the framework of UNFPA support to the Government of Zimbabwe under the 8th Country Programme of Cooperation.”
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director, Givemore Makoni, said they were elated to be part of the MOU, as it was their first with any UN agency.
“It gives us an opportunity to play our role to not only promoting the girl child to play better cricket on the field, but also to support, raise awareness that will help to protect the girl child off the field of play.
“This cooperation marks the beginning of a great relationship that will see Zimbabwe Cricket contributing to raising awareness on the ills of Gender Based Violence.
“The partnership also demonstrates the Zimbabwe Cricket desire to become the number 1 sport in the country.
“For without the support, participation and inclusion of women and girls, this strategic objective will not be realised.
“We also appreciate that this partnership, though primarily aimed at supporting the female and girl child, will also require engaging men and boys to raise awareness on positive masculinity and the positives it brings in ending violence against women and girls.
“With its huge following nationwide of cricket lovers especially men and boys, the potential for Zimbabwe Cricket Association is huge.
“This presence a chance for the cricket players who are role models in society to use their fame and influence for a good cause,” said Makoni.
Gender Based Violence is a huge problem in Zimbabwe as it is reported that 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, hence efforts of such partnerships aimed at ending the vice are well appreciated.
