Womens Monitor Magazine Zimbabwe

04/04/2025

**Title: A Growing Crisis: Analyzing Intergenerational Relationships in Southern Africa**

As Southern Africa grapples with various socio-economic challenges, a concerning trend has emerged—intergenerational sexual relationships involving young girls as young as 12 and older men ranging in age from 20 to 60. This issue is particularly acute in countries such as Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, where cultural, economic, and systemic factors create an environment ripe for exploitation.

# # # Understanding the Issue

Reports indicate that many young girls engage in these relationships out of necessity, often driven by poverty and limited opportunities. According to **UNICEF**, “The power dynamics inherent in these relationships put girls at significant risk of exploitation, abuse, and exposure to sexually transmitted infections.” With approximately **35% of girls in sub-Saharan Africa marrying before the age of 18**, the urgency of addressing this issue becomes even more critical.

In Malawi, reports suggest that intergenerational relationships are fueled by a combination of poverty and the desperate need for financial security. The **Malawi Human Rights Commission** highlighted that "economic instability often forces families to make difficult decisions, pushing young girls into these relationships for basic survival.”

# # # The Impact on Health and Rights

The health implications of these relationships can be devastating. **UN Women** noted, “Young girls involved in intergenerational relationships face increased risks of unintended pregnancies, STIs, and mental health issues.” In Zimbabwe, where over 25% of girls aged 15-19 have experienced sexual violence, the need for comprehensive health services and education is paramount to reverse these trends.

Faith-based organizations, such as **The World Council of Churches**, are also raising their voices against this crisis. They emphasize the importance of community dialogue, stating, “Faith leaders play a crucial role in transforming attitudes and behaviors that contribute to the acceptance of intergenerational relationships.”

# # # Government and NGO Response

Responding to this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach, incorporating efforts from governments, NGOs, and international donors:

1. **Policy Frameworks**: Governments must strengthen laws protecting minors from exploitation. In Mozambique, the government has made strides by implementing policies aimed at reducing child marriage, but enforcement remains a challenge.

2. **Education and Empowerment**: Organizations like **Plan International** are working to provide educational materials and training for both young girls and community members. They assert that “Empowerment through education can break the cycle of poverty and reduce vulnerability to exploitation.”

3. **Community Engagement**: Faith-based groups are organizing community dialogues aimed at changing cultural norms that perpetuate intergenerational relationships. **The Zimbabwe Council of Churches** emphasized, "Transformative dialogue is essential to shift perceptions and protect vulnerable youth."

4. **Health Services Access**: Initiatives led by **UNFPA** are crucial in ensuring that young women have access to sexual and reproductive health services. They state, “Access to education on reproductive health is vital for empowering young girls and steering them away from harmful relationships.”

# # # The Role of First Ladies and Donors

First ladies in the region are increasingly stepping up to address these issues. For example, **First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe** has launched campaigns focused on health and empowerment for young girls, aiming to create awareness about the risks associated with intergenerational relationships.

International donors also play a critical role. The **Global Fund** and other philanthropic organizations have begun investing in programs designed to elevate the status of young women and improve their socio-economic conditions.

# # # Conclusion

As the phenomenon of intergenerational relationships continues to spread across Southern Africa, it is imperative that we unite in our efforts to combat this crisis. By addressing the root causes of poverty and gender inequality while providing education, health services, and community support, we can create a safer environment for young girls. The collective action of governments, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and individuals is necessary to foster a future where every girl can thrive free from exploitation.

*** ***

11/02/2025

Title: Breaking the Silence on Menstrual Health in Mt. Darwin: A Call for Action

In the serene landscapes of Mt. Darwin, Zimbabwe, a silent struggle plays out monthly for countless girls—one that is often overshadowed by the noise of daily life. The challenges of period poverty and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) can significantly disrupt the lives of rural residing girls, rendering them vulnerable and marginalized. With an estimated 1.8 billion women menstruating globally each month, it is vital to confront the realities that many young girls face, particularly in rural communities like Mt. Darwin.

Period poverty, defined as the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene facilities, is a critical issue impacting girls' education and overall well-being. And the emotional component—PMS—adds another layer of complexity, affecting girls’ physical health, mental well-being, and their ability to attend school without discomfort and stigma. The World Economic Forum recently spotlighted PMS, placing it alongside serious health conditions like Ischemic Heart Disease and Cervical Cancer. This recognition underscores an urgent need to address these often-ignored issues.

Conditional on cultural stigmas and economic limitations, many girls in Mt. Darwin may find themselves missing out on educational opportunities, leading to a vicious cycle of poverty and dependency. The implications of education absenteeism due to menstrual challenges not only impact their futures but resonate through generations, affecting women’s roles in society and their own children's educational prospects.

However, change is possible, and it begins with a collective effort from the government, NGOs, donors, corporate entities, and individuals to ensure that menstrual health is prioritized. Governments must develop sustainable policies that provide free menstrual hygiene products in schools as well as necessary education on menstrual health. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as CARE and PLAN International have been integral in implementing programs that tackle these issues, along with Musasa, which emphasizes comprehensive health services for women.

Furthermore, the involvement of men and boys in breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation is critical. Just like in Stephen King's iconic novel "Carrie," where the struggles of young women around menstrual issues are horrifically portrayed, we need narratives that educate rather than stigmatize. Education around menstruation should be included in school curriculums to normalize these discussions.

Remarkably, champions like Amai Mnangagwa are emerging to lead the charge for women’s sexual and reproductive health, education, and essential sanitation facilities (WASH). Her advocacy serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring a community to rally for menstrual health as a key component of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

An inspiring example of action taking root in this struggle is Shamiso Yadyo, a remarkable young woman who has decided to make a tangible difference. Having learned at Kuhondo High School in Mt. Darwin, Shamiso is set to donate menstrual hygiene supplies to 600 girls at her former school through the Cedarwood Memorial Trust, where she is one of the founding trustees. This act not only addresses immediate needs but also aims to empower girls, fostering a supportive environment where they can focus on their education without the added burden of menstrual challenges.

In conclusion, the time to act is now. We must all play our part in dismantling the barriers that prevent young girls from thriving during their menstrual cycles. A coordinated effort across all sectors of society can provide the necessary resources, education, and destigmatization needed to ensure that no girl in Mt. Darwin—or anywhere else—falls behind due to period poverty or PMS. The journey toward menstrual equity is a shared responsibility, one that can provide lasting change not only for young women but for entire communities.
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also include this In Stephen King's Carrie, menstruation is a key event that triggers Carrie's telekinetic powers and leads to her transformation into a monster.
How does menstruation affect Carrie?

Carrie's first period happens in the shower, where her classmates bully her.

This event traumatizes Carrie and haunts her throughout the novel.
Carrie's period is a pivotal moment in her life, as she is caught between girlhood and womanhood.
Carrie's telekinetic powers begin to surface after her first period, and flare when she is angry or insulted.

Title: Breaking the Silence on Menstrual Health in Mt. Darwin: A Call for Action

In the serene landscapes of Mt. Darwin, Zimbabwe, a silent struggle plays out monthly for countless girls—one that is often overshadowed by the noise of daily life. The challenges of period poverty and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) can significantly disrupt the lives of rural girls, rendering them vulnerable and marginalized. With an estimated 1.8 billion women menstruating globally each month, it is vital to confront the realities that many young girls face, particularly in rural communities like Mt. Darwin.

Period poverty, defined as the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene facilities, is a critical issue impacting girls' education and overall well-being. Coupled with the emotional toll of PMS, which can influence physical health and mental well-being, many girls endure considerable hardships that hinder their ability to attend school comfortably. The World Economic Forum recently spotlighted PMS alongside serious health conditions like Ischemic Heart Disease and Cervical Cancer, underscoring an urgent need to address these often-ignored issues.

Conditional on cultural stigmas and economic limitations, many girls in Mt. Darwin may find themselves missing out on educational opportunities, leading to a vicious cycle of poverty and dependency. The implications of education absenteeism due to menstrual challenges not only impact their futures but resonate through generations, affecting women’s roles in society and their own children's educational prospects.

Drawing a parallel to literature, in Stephen King's Carrie, menstruation serves as a key event that not only marks Carrie’s transition into womanhood but catalyzes her telekinetic powers. During her first period, experienced in the shower, Carrie faces cruel bullying from her classmates, a traumatic experience that haunts her throughout the novel. This pivotal moment symbolizes the anguish many girls feel when confronting bodily changes that are stigmatized and misunderstood. Carrie’s telekinetic powers, which flare in moments of anger or insult, reflect the intense emotional and psychological complexities that menstruation can evoke—transformative yet frightening, liberating yet stigmatized.

However, change is possible, and it begins with collective action from the government, NGOs, donors, corporate entities, and individuals to ensure that menstrual health is prioritized. Governments must develop sustainable policies that provide free menstrual hygiene products in schools as well as necessary education on menstrual health. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as CARE and PLAN International have been integral in implementing programs that tackle these issues, alongside Musasa, which emphasizes comprehensive health services for women.

Moreover, the involvement of men and boys in breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation is critical. Just like in Carrie, where societal bullying exacerbates Carrie’s already burdensome emotional experience, we need to educate boys and men to understand and support their peers. Education around menstruation should be included in school curriculums to normalize these discussions, ensuring that young girls do not feel isolated or ashamed.

Remarkably, champions like Amai Mnangagwa are emerging to lead the charge for women’s sexual and reproductive health, education, and essential sanitation facilities (WASH). Her advocacy serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring a community to rally for menstrual health as a key component of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

An inspiring example of action taking root in this struggle is Shamiso Yadyo, a remarkable young woman who has decided to make a tangible difference. Having learned at Kuhondo High School in Mt. Darwin, Shamiso is set to donate menstrual hygiene supplies to 600 girls at her former school through the Cedarwood Memorial Trust, where she is one of the founding trustees. This act not only addresses immediate needs but also aims to empower girls, fostering a supportive environment where they can focus on their education without the added burden of menstrual challenges.

In conclusion, the time to act is now. We must all play our part in dismantling the barriers that prevent young girls from thriving during their menstrual cycles. A coordinated effort across all sectors of society can provide the necessary resources, education, and destigmatization needed to ensure that no girl in Mt. Darwin—or anywhere else—falls behind due to period poverty or PMS. The journey toward menstrual equity is a shared responsibility, one that can provide lasting change not only for young women but for entire communities.
add quotes from influential people like hellen keller and Nelson Mandela on women's empoerwement

Title: Breaking the Silence on Menstrual Health in Mt. Darwin: A Call for Action

In the serene landscapes of Mt. Darwin, Zimbabwe, a silent struggle plays out monthly for countless girls—one that is often overshadowed by the noise of daily life. The challenges of period poverty and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) can significantly disrupt the lives of rural girls, rendering them vulnerable and marginalized. With an estimated 1.8 billion women menstruating globally each month, it is vital to confront the realities that many young girls face, particularly in rural communities like Mt. Darwin.

Period poverty, defined as the lack of access to menstrual products, education, and hygiene facilities, is a critical issue impacting girls' education and overall well-being. Coupled with the emotional toll of PMS, which can influence physical health and mental well-being, many girls endure considerable hardships that hinder their ability to attend school comfortably. The World Economic Forum recently spotlighted PMS alongside serious health conditions like Ischemic Heart Disease and Cervical Cancer, underscoring an urgent need to address these often-ignored issues.

Conditional on cultural stigmas and economic limitations, many girls in Mt. Darwin may find themselves missing out on educational opportunities, leading to a vicious cycle of poverty and dependency. The implications of education absenteeism due to menstrual challenges not only impact their futures but resonate through generations, affecting women’s roles in society and their own children's educational prospects.

Drawing a parallel to literature, in Stephen King's Carrie, menstruation serves as a key event that not only marks Carrie’s transition into womanhood but catalyzes her telekinetic powers. During her first period, experienced in the shower, Carrie faces cruel bullying from her classmates, a traumatic experience that haunts her throughout the novel. This pivotal moment symbolizes the anguish many girls feel when confronting bodily changes that are stigmatized and misunderstood. Carrie’s telekinetic powers, which flare in moments of anger or insult, reflect the intense emotional and psychological complexities that menstruation can evoke—transformative yet frightening, liberating yet stigmatized.

However, change is possible, and it begins with collective action from the government, NGOs, donors, corporate entities, and individuals to ensure that menstrual health is prioritized. Governments must develop sustainable policies that provide free menstrual hygiene products in schools as well as necessary education on menstrual health. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as CARE and PLAN International have been integral in implementing programs that tackle these issues, alongside Musasa, which emphasizes comprehensive health services for women.

Moreover, the involvement of men and boys in breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation is critical. Just like in Carrie, where societal bullying exacerbates Carrie’s already burdensome emotional experience, we need to educate boys and men to understand and support their peers. Education around menstruation should be included in school curriculums to normalize these discussions, ensuring that young girls do not feel isolated or ashamed.

As Helen Keller famously stated, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” This sentiment underscores the importance of community action in tackling period poverty and empowering young girls. Similarly, Nelson Mandela emphasized the importance of women in society when he said, “There is no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.” By ensuring that girls have access to menstrual hygiene products and education, we reflect the values of compassion, resilience, and respect that are essential for a progressive society.

Remarkably, champions like Amai Mnangagwa are emerging to lead the charge for women’s sexual and reproductive health, education, and essential sanitation facilities (WASH). Her advocacy serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring a community to rally for menstrual health as a key component of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

An inspiring example of action taking root in this struggle is Shamiso Yadyo, a remarkable young woman who has decided to make a tangible difference. Having learned at Kuhondo High School in Mt. Darwin, Shamiso is set to donate menstrual hygiene supplies to 600 girls at her former school through the Cedarwood Memorial Trust, where she is one of the founding trustees. This act not only addresses immediate needs but also aims to empower girls, fostering a supportive environment where they can focus on their education without the added burden of menstrual challenges.

In conclusion, the time to act is now. We must all play our part in dismantling the barriers that prevent young girls from thriving during their menstrual cycles. A coordinated effort across all sectors of society can provide the necessary resources, education, and destigmatization needed to ensure that no girl in Mt. Darwin—or anywhere else—falls behind due to period poverty or PMS. The journey toward menstrual equity is a shared responsibility, one that can provide lasting change not only for young women but for entire communities. By creating a world where menstruation is not a source of shame but a natural part of life, we build a future where every girl can dream big and realize her full potential.

11/02/2025

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgyrxz4k6zo

As M23 rebels entered Goma and the city was plunged into chaos, female prisoners were attacked, the UN says.

04/02/2025

https://spikedmedia.co.zw/period-poverty-a-major-barrier-to-education-for-girls-in-rural-zimbabwe/

Zimbabwe news , with spiked catch all breaking news on 24news online media newsday newsdzezimbabwe every hour for free

02/04/2024

13/03/2024

Doctrine denies women their liberty
By E.M. Kuyipa

Recently, I attended a church gathering in which the preachers attacked women’s use of make-up, braiding, skin-lighteners and use of family planning methods. They also said that believers should notgo to hospital when ill.

The pastors wearing white dust coats, spoke mainly on these issues for more than an hour, quoting verses mainly from Paul’s letters in the Bible.

The congregants were mostly people who had been invited from the neighbourhood. The service was at a house in Stoneridge, Harare South. Thus, the pastors were not preaching to the converted. In fact, most of the women wear adorned in a way that the pastors were condemning.

One man, Mike, said, ‘How can they say that our women should not use contraceptives, such as Jadelle. If my wife ends up with a lot of children then how are we going to support them. I don’t like this doctrine.’

Other ladies also said that in an advanced society women should be at liberty to use cosmetics and have various forms of hairstyle. They also lamented the fact that there are a number of churches that have doctrines which oppress women, even to the point of causing maternal and infant deaths.

‘Women and girls as young as 14, have died at shrines giving births, because church elders refuse to allow them to get maternity services at hospitals,’ lamented Sister Dorcas, a state registered nurse.

Sandra, a School of Mortuary Sciences student, narrated that they had to forcefully take their sister to a hospital, where she got Antiretroviral Treatment (ART), after she became very ill. Her sister is one of twelve wives, married to a member of a white garment apostolic sect church, which does not allow its members to get medical treatment. She is the only one in the polygamous relationship who is on ART.

Another student Judith had recently attended a funeral for a cousin who died of Child-birth related causes after her husband refused on religious grounds to send her to hospital despite her pleas.

The death of a fourteen-year-old child bride whilst giving birth at a shrine in Marange Manicaland and the complicity of her parents in trying to cover up the incidence led to an outcry by Civic Society and the United Nations representatives in Zimbabwe.
If no woman must die whilst giving birth, then what about teenage girls?
Young children have not been spared. They are dying of preventable diseases because they have not been immunized. Leaders of wayward apostolic sects deny them vaccination.

‘Church doctrine should safeguard lives and ensure that there is no deliberate segregation, exploitation, or abuse of women or children. Faith based organisations, should make sure that they protect expecting mothers from maternal mortality and children from dying due to preventable communicable diseases,’ said a New Way Zion Church pastor.

05/12/2023

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe & Zimbabwe Passengers Transport Organisation & Cedarwood Memorial School of Mortuary Sciences with The Assistance of Environmental Management Agency and City of Harare National Clean Up Day Event at Mbare Main Bus Terminus

Passengers Association of Zimbabwe (PAZ) organized a National Clean Up Day event on the 2nd of December 2023 at Mbare Main Bus Terminus. Zimbabwe Passenger Transport Organisation (ZPTO), and students of Cedarwood Memorial Trust (CMSMS) led by the Head also participated. Environmental Management Agency (EMA) provided brooms, latex gloves and plastic bins. Harare City workers at the rank also aided with bins for waste collection and disposal.
Participants cleaned up Mbare Main Bus Terminus and also conducted an awareness campaign, which included distribution of bins to vendors and takeaways. City of Harare representatives, PAZ and CMSMS encouraged vendors and takeaways at the terminus to keep their environment clean, especially as there is a cholera epidemic. They were advised that if they fail to observe proper hygiene and keeping their working environment clean, they may forfeit their right or privilege to operate.

PAZ was led by its National Coordinator Mr. Tafadzwa Goliati, and representatives from ZPTO participated, whilst ten students were led by the founder of Cedarwood Memorial Trust, who is also the head of Cedarwood School of Mortuary Sciences, Mr. Johan Yadyo.

The National Coordinator of PAZ, Tafadzwa Goliati, called for commuters and vendors to ensure that they keep bus ranks clean and that there should be proper vending as commuters no longer have space for their mobility, such that they end up walking in the midst of the road, where they may be hit by buses and other vehicles.

‘We also appeal to EMA and City of Harare to ensure that there is proper and complete collection of refuse from Mbare Main Bus Terminus. There is an eyesore of piled up refuse, which is burnt 24hours affecting commuters, rather than collected by dump trucks for proper disposal. We look forward to having clean bus termini all over Harare, as well as in all cities and towns and look forward to all councils prioritizing this issue,’ said PAZ National Coordinator, Tafadzwa Goliati.

Students of CMSMS viewed the clean up exercise at the very busy bus rank as an eye opener, outside their mortuary science training. Mr. Johan Yadyo, then stated that, ‘As Cedarwood Memorial Trust, we want the funeral practitioner to appreciate that they have a social responsibility beyond ensuring that the dearly departed have a deserving send off, and helping the survivors to cope with grief. Seeing members of the public brushing shoulders with us outside a funeral occasion and joyously cleaning up is a delightful experience.

A bus crew member said that it is important to keep bus ranks clean and, in the future, they will keep participating in these activities. ‘We thank President Mnangagwa for coming up with this day and we thank EMA and all partners for appreciating the importance of Mbare which provides transport to all corners of Zimbabwe.’

The National Day of Clean Up was proclaimed by President Mnangwagwa, on the 15th of December 2018, to be on the first Friday of every month and since then various stakeholders including government departments, companies, Community Based Organisations, NGOs and churches have participated on clean ups during this day. PAZ, ZPTO and CMT choose Mbare Main Bus Terminus, because of its significance as the largest bus rank in the country and Mbare the oldest Harare township has the most business and commuting traffic in Harare.

05/12/2023

30/10/2023

No turning back on operation tame the jungle, says the police

in today's Indaba,Ass Com Paul Nyati has said that the Operation Tame The Jungle is here to stay.

He said it is a government operation not a police operation.

He expressed dismay that Zimbabweans want to make money but don't want to follow the law. He expressed displeasure at existence of ramshackle vehicles, inadequate vehicles despite existence of duty free imports for buses, lack of commuter ranks, and a habit of wanting to pay police for of fences.

13/03/2023

Climate Change and other negative environmental stressors make women more vulnerable to
Violence

There is a strong bond between gender-based violence and the environment. National and customary laws and structures, societal gender norms and traditional gender roles often dictate who can access, control and benefit from natural resources. The negative result of this is that women become marginalized, and makes women, girls and those of diverse gender identities more vulnerable (Castañeda Camey et al., 2021).

Women and girls are at high risk when collecting or managing water and wood, which they use for their domestic needs. However, gender-based violence also occurs in various situations to emphasize or maintain control over natural resources.

In the allocation of land, or when women, especially single women require assistance in getting firewood or thatching men including traditional leaders require sexual favours. S*x for fish at fisheries is also common in fishing communities.

Gender based violence is worse in the face of environmental stressors, such as climate change, extractives and environmental crimes, when the control over increasingly scarce or degraded resources and livelihood opportunities results in higher tensions (e.g., exacerbating domestic
violence), increased negative coping strategies (e.g., child marriage in the aftermath of
disasters) and reduced resilience for families and communities (e.g., risks of sexual
exploitation and human trafficking in legal and illegal extractive industries).

Tsuro Trust noted that following Cyclone Idai in March 2019, in Chimanimani District there was sexual violation of women and girls and abuse in exchange of relief support and sexual violence and exploitation of female youths at the hands of some army personnel, construction companies personnel and staff involved in distributing aid.

There were also reported incidences of gender based violence suffered by women in the cash of transfers or sexual assault of girls by men. aftermaths of Cyclone Idai women and girls were sexually abused by their rescuers (Page 13, Building Resilience to Natural Disasters in Populated African Mountain Ecosystems, August 2020). UNWOMEN (2016) notes that After disasters, women are likely to be subjected to sexual abuse.

Some years before Cyclone Idai, the Tokwe Mukosi 2014 flood disaster ked to the evacuations of close to 3500 families to transit camps in Chingwizi, Chisase and Masangula lands. The internally displaced victims faced many challenges during and after displacement. Victims faced poverty, unfavorable living conditions, hunger, deteriorating livelihoods and physical, verbal and sexual abuse at the hands of fellow victims or responsible authorities of which women were most affected.

Social norms and gendered power dynamics allow for gender-based violence to be used to manage land and property (e.g., widow disinheritance or property grabbing through physical,
psychological or other means). When a widow and her children are left with wealth such as cattle, tractors and large tracts of land, her husband’s brothers may forcefully grab this wealth for themselves and their children. A widow in rural areas who has no children is likely to suffer by being driven out of her homestead and hearth even though she would have worked together with her husband for their property. At times widows are forced into kugarwa nhaka whereby her late husband’s close male kin will inherit her as a wife.

A common challenge in rural or farming contexts is the accusation of elderly women of being witches. Almost all old women are accused of being witches, responsible for deaths and illnesses some of witch are due to vectors in the environment leading to diarrhea, dysentery, cholera or malaria. In addition, these old women may be accused of causing dro
ughts and other climate change induced disasters.

UN Women (Campaigns to End Violence against Women and Girls) state that, “Men and boys must be engaged as key allies in preventing violence—when provided with information and sensitization on the issue, many men can serve as important role models and spokespeople to promote gender equality in family relationships, and condemn the use of violence to resolve conflict at home and in the community. Men and boys can help to make clear that it is possible to prevent violence, in their own lives, and by exerting influence on their peers.” In the context of communal areas where environmentally induced GBV is common there is need to engage men and boys of various ages, and to make sure that traditional bearers, faith based organisations leaders (traditional medicine practitioners, church leaders, Islamic and other faiths leaders) councilors, community leaders must be involved so as to protect women in their communities from the use or threat of physical, psychological, sexual, economic, legal, political, social and other forms of control and/or abuse.