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Sifelani Tsiko in UMZINGWANE
PLANS are underway to build a US$90 000 safe women’s market to help end violence against women and girls in the area covered by Umzingwane Rural District Council where drunken artisinal miners are a particular threat against women vendors.

Ms Debra Mwase, programme manager of Katswe Sisterhood, an implementing partner of the Spotlight Initiative, told The Herald yesterday that the safe market would ensure that women and girls are safe and participate actively in the local economy.

She said this during a campaign dubbed: “Creating safe and empowering public spaces for women and girls.”

“The safe market which will be constructed soon at Habane Extension here in Umzingwane will address issues of gender-based violence in public spaces,” Ms Mwase said.

“This is part of the UN Women flagship programme on safe cities and safe public spaces.”

UN Women is partnering Katswe Sisterhood and the Government on a flagship programme for safe cities, safe public spaces and safe markets which seeks to end violence against women and girls in public spaces.

The project is being piloted in Epworth and in Chipinge and Umzingwane districts.

About 62 women are expected to benefit in Umzingwane.

Sexual harassment and other forms of violence in public spaces is a daily reality for women and girls in Zimbabwe and most parts of the world.

It often happens on the streets, in public transport, in and around schools or workplaces, public toilets, water and food distribution sites and parks.

“We face sexual and physical abuse from drunken artisinal miners here in Umzingwane,” said Vimbai Sithole (29), a vendor at Habane Extension market.

“Drug and substance abuse is a big problem and as women we suffer from the abuse.”

She said a safe market will help protect them and restore dignity to the women who toil daily in the vending business.

“We are so excited about plans to build a safe market,” she said.

“We are going to have secure stalls, proper toilets, and decent shelter for us and our customers.”

Revai Runganga (39), another vendor, said drunken Makorokozas were a menace at their market.

“Rowdy artisanal miners can tear down our vending stalls, mess up our sites and in the worst cases even refuse to pay for items sold,” she said.

“We need a safe market that can protect us and our wares.”

Martha Masuku (28) another vendor complained that some rowdy men often vandalise their stalls and in some cases even assault women at the market.

“Amakorokoza can beat you up if you turn them down when they approach you,” she said.

“It’s not easy for us now and we need a safe market to protect us.”

Partson Sibanda, ward 16 councillor of Umzingwane Rural District Council, welcomed the plans to build a safe market.

“We want smart cities and we want to grow as a district. We want to develop and bring safe and decent markets for our women,” he said.

“Gender based violence is there because of the influx of artisanal miners. There is money, gold and power issues which can be abused to harass women.”

He said safe markets will help raise awareness on the need to stop gender based violence in Umzingwane.

Abuse of women in public spaces limits their access to essential services, enjoyment of cultural and recreational activities, and negatively impacts their health and well-being.

UN Women has been working with various local NGOs and community based organisations under the Spotlight Initiative supported through a partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to end violence against women and girls and harmful practices.

Zimbabwe is among the 20 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean which have benefited from the four-year programme supported by the EU to the tune of US$30 million.