In Zimbabwe, harmful norms and cultural practices can reinforce gender inequality and perpetuate sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This culture of violence doesn’t just target women, but is prevalent in communities that are divided by political polarisation and competition for limited resources.
The Building, Empowering and Sustaining Community Champions project was run over two years, in two communities in Manicaland Province, eastern Zimbabwe. It combined three of Tearfund’s evidence-based approaches – Community Conflict Transformation Dialogues, Transforming Masculinities, and Journey to Healing – to reduce violence, promote peace and support survivors of SGBV.
An independent evaluation of the project demonstrated the life-changing impact in the communities. Community leaders estimated that monthly cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) dropped by over 80 per cent, child marriages have been prevented, harmful gender norms and cultural practices have shifted, relationships have improved, women have assumed traditional leadership roles for the first time and communities divided by conflicts over resources have resolved their disputes through dialogue.
The case study provides an overview of the project and its impact. The impact report explores in more detail the approaches that were used and how these led to groundbreaking change.
