November 25 to December 10 marked the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence globally with Zimbabwean women lawmakers and women’s groups coming together in a campaign targeting domestic and political violence in their communities.
The theme for 2011 commemorations was: "From peace in the home to peace in the world: Let’s challenge militarism and end violence against women!"
And the national theme for Zimbabwe was “From peace in the home to peace in our nation: Let’s challenge all forms of gender-based violence."
Taking the campaign further to target political and other forms of violence in her constituency, Kadoma Central lawmaker Editor Matamisa of the MDC formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has started a program to promote peace in her constituency through sports.
Through the campaign hundreds of youths in the constituency gathered at Rimuka stadium on Thursday for a soccer tournament meant to bring to an end political and domestic violence.
Kadoma Mayor Peter Matambo told Voice of America that the program is targeting the youth in this constituency because most of the violence that rocked the 2008 elections was spearheaded by unemployed youngsters.
“During 2008 shops and homes were destroyed, young girls and mothers were raped and we cannot allow such a spirit to continue. The youths themselves were in the forefront of this violence and they were used by the political leadership.”
The Kadoma mayor said Zimbabwe can never develop or prosper as a nation if differences continue to be settled through violence.