BY NYARADZO CHITUNGO
In a bid to combat gender-based violence (GBV), challenge discrimination and promote social cohesion, UN Women has launched the “Stronger Together” campaign targeting women returning from South Africa and host communities in Zimbabwe.
Launched on October 20, the campaign seeks to address challenges faced by returning women and girls, including trauma, economic insecurity, social exclusion and increased risks of gender-based violence.
The initiative will use community radio programmes, roadshows, digital platforms, storytelling and community dialogues to raise awareness of GBV and encourage communities to support the reintegration of returnees.
Under the theme “Communities United Against GBV, Stigma and Discrimination”, the campaign seeks to ensure that women and girls returning home are treated with dignity, feel safe and have opportunities to rebuild their lives.
The campaign also aims to improve public awareness of GBV prevention and response services, promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen women’s participation in community resilience and peacebuilding.
Epworth will host the national launch, bringing together government ministries, United Nations agencies, community leaders, women’s rights organisations, youth representatives, media practitioners and women returnees.
According to UN Women, the event will feature testimonies from returnees, community dialogues, live radio broadcasts, community theatre performances and information booths providing referrals to GBV support services.
The campaign will target Chipinge, Masvingo and Epworth through radio programmes, including talk shows, listener call-in programmes and live broadcasts, as well as roadshows, market activations and youth engagement activities. UN Women will also use digital platforms to spread awareness messages through social media influencers, survivor-centred storytelling and community-led content.
Through its Voices of Resilience initiative, the organisation will document the experiences of women returnees rebuilding their lives and highlight community members working to promote inclusion, peace and solidarity.
The initiative will also produce a documentary, short videos and radio stories focusing on reintegration and women’s leadership.
The Stronger Together campaign aligns with the 2026 global UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls campaign, which carries the theme “Ensure Justice. Protect Survivors. End Impunity.”
It calls for survivor-centred support, violence prevention, community accountability and collective action to protect women and girls from abuse, discrimination and exclusion.
UN Women is working with government ministries, faith-based organisations, women’s rights groups, media houses, community leaders and local communities to promote respect, equality and inclusion.
The campaign will run until December 10 which marks International Human Rights Day and the conclusion of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Communities are encouraged to join the conversation and support the campaign using #StrongerTogetherZW.
