PaZimbabwe News

Film-makers fight domestic violence

Latwell Nyangu, H-Metro Reporter

Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe (WFOZ) is engaging policy makers, Government ministries and stakeholders to push for reforms that prevent Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

The project is determined to eradicate violence against women and girls through mainstreaming women’s audio visual narratives in marginalised urban and rural communities.

The organisation said during in a statement following a meeting which was held last week

“The objective of the stakeholders meeting was to contribute to debate on policy and laws that prevent violence against women and girls by engaging policy makers and government organisations, civic society and other key stakeholders.

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“The findings are from marginalized and underserved rural and urban women and girls.

“WFOZ in the last two years has been conducting discussions around Zimbabwe in order to bring women’s issues to the attention of the cinema viewing and television watching public by traditional screenings,” reads part of the statement.

A stakeholders report was compiled from the information gathered and the report was used as a guideline for the discussions.

Representatives from the Ministry of Primary  and Secondary Education, ZRP Victim Friendly Unit, Chipinge and Binga were also part of the meeting.

“From the issues raised in the report and from the discussions from the stakeholders meeting, it was established and agreed that poverty, cultural and religious oppression of women and peer pressure were a major contribution and challenge to VAWG.

“Solutions proposed on the table ranged from early intervention from as young as 8 years old and also male narratives engagement as well as community engagement through education of rights and laws in order to influence attitude and behavior change towards VAWG issues.

“Stakeholders commended the work WFOZ was doing and further highlighted other factors influencing VAWG such as invisible psychological barriers and economic deprivation,” added the statement.

WFOZ gave insight into its upcoming project titled #picturemylife series where the organization is creating audio-visual content that will be used to upscale the ‘#MeToo’ Campaign, in Zimbabwe.

“The concept behind this project is to develop content that will help to create conversations on the magnitude of sexual violence perpetrated against women in the public space with the aim of challenging all forms of sexual violence.

“The videos (spots) will highlight real life experiences and will therefore help in increasing the agency of women around issues affecting women’s lives and lived experience, including sexual violence.”

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WFOZ operates as the women’s department under the Institute for Creative Art for Progress (ICAPA). ICAPA is a merger between WFOZ and sister company Nyerai Films.

WFOZ is also the lead organization of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ) – Media, ICTs and Arts Cluster.

 

HMETRO