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Manicaland Correspondents
A Mutare-based non-governmental organisation, Diocese of Mutare Community Care Programme (DOMCCP), has roped in the church in fight against Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in urban centres.

It launched the Start Awareness Support Action (SASA!) Faith in Sakubva last week, which was attended by over 500 people.

Religious leaders from different denominations also attended the event.

Speaking at the launch, DOMCCP director Mr Robert Munhenga pledged to roll out sensitisation campaigns in communities.

“During the first year of the project, DOMCCP will focus on building the capacity of religious leaders to roll out SASA! Faith activities among religious communities,” he said.

“These activities include community sensitisation on SASA! Faith, engaging religious leaders, training community activists, setting up community action groups and engaging the media to report on gender based violence.”

It will be implemented following SASA! Faith methodology and aims at transforming gender norms that favour gender based violence.

Programme coordinator, DOMCCP Mr Ian Munhungewarwa said there was need to include all denominations to promote SASA! Faith.

“The inclusion of religious leaders such as priests from different churches including the Islamic religion will ensure the awareness reaches many targeted audiences without discrimination,” he said.

“Ensuring that everyone does his or her part in ending the problem of domestic violence which is affecting many.”

DOMCCP partners, including the National AIDS Council (NAC), attended the event.

NAC representative Mr Willard Mudzikati said: “We made an observation that gender based violence comes in different ways, hence need for awareness especially in churches to reach many targeted people because we are a Christian based community.”