Zimbabwe has joined the UN Africa Unite campaign to end all forms of violence against women under the theme: “Speak out, Climb up.”
In solidarity with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon’s, Unite global initiative and a continent wide partnership to end violence against women, Zimbabwe has sent three experienced climbers to reach the roof top of the African continent, Mount Kilimanjaro.
Coinciding with the International Women’s Day, the climb will symbolically raise women’s voices to the highest peak of Africa.
Violence against women is a serious concern on the continent, as well as in Zimbabwe. Women suffer daily the effects of domestic, sexual and other forms of gender-based violence in the country.
In the sub-Saharan region, between 13% and 45% of women suffer assault by intimate partners during their lifetimes. Recent studies from the region show that between 16% and 47% of girls in primary or secondary school report sexual abuse or harassment from male teachers or classmates and over 3 million girls in Africa at risk of female genital mutilation.
The Africa Unite campaign coordinates actions on these issues from 11 UN agencies, governments and civil society
Three Zimbabwean military personnel staff will participate in the Speak Out,Climb Up campaign to end all forms of violence against women.The UN Africa Unite campaign will involve climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on 5 to 9 March 2012.
