“No abusive behavior should be rationalized for the sake of keeping things together in a relationship”
In a world of lookalike voluntary organizations, Precious Hearts Haven has been able to live up to its core objectives and mandate to reduce the abuse of women and girls in marginalized communities and societies in Zimbabwe. Of late there has been an increase in cases of domestic violence and women are at the receiving end of this vicious cycle of violence. Even in local police stations, the most reported cases which are topping the list are cases of domestic violence and abuse of women and girlchild.
Abuse sensitization workshop
First safe place
We have managed to identify a seven-roomed house with Preparations for its renovations currently being undertaken. This will accommodate a group of women and girls who are in critical need of safety from abuse. In the meantime, the place had been accommodating women and girls to come together and taught income-generating skills. Currently, skills like braiding and weaving, make-up, skincare, manicure, and pedicure are being trained. We started with 5 women. The place has become a safe place for these where they can freely talk about issues of abuse whilst they are learning skills.
Youth sensitization workshop in Budiriro high-density suburb
The prevailing socio-economic challenges and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lives and livelihoods have exposed further existing vulnerabilities and caused further deepening inequalities, particularly gender inequality and spiking sexual and gender-based violence in marginalized communities and societies in Zimbabwe. To this end, Precious Hearts Haven held a sensitization workshop against women abuse. Targeting young people, to sensitize them on forms of abuse and red flags of abuse, its dangers, and reporting structures. The workshop was held in a high-density location of Budiriro with over 120 young people in attendance
Women attending a skill training program at our first safe place
Upcoming Project:
In light of the above, several workshops are lined up in most parts of rural areas in Zimbabwe where domestic violence and abuse of women and girls have been accepted and internalized as normal. These areas are disconnected from the reality of human rights thus Precious Hearts Haven is planning to penetrate those areas to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
Day of the African child
Zimbabwe and the continent recently marked the Day of the African Child on 16 June 2022 whereupon Precious Hearts Haven joined the continent in celebrating this important historical day.
The day of the African Child has been commemorated under the theme Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: and this day coincided with the recent Zimbabwe high court ruling that increased the legal age of sexual consent from 16 to 18 years which we as an organization greatly appreciate. In the spirit of commemorating the day of the African child.
We continue to redouble efforts and act with a sense of urgency to reduce and end all forms of women and girls abuse in Zimbabwe, particularly in marginalized communities.
The recent Constitutional Court’s ruling in Zimbabwe and the High-Level Political Compact to end violence against women and girls launched end of last year give us hope and willpower to continue our work in making a better world for all women kind.
We have started renovations on a 7-roomed house we identified. We would like to purchase good second-hand furniture so that we can start to accommodate those women in need of a temporary safe place. We are looking for USD 1880 to cover all necessary items needed for a 7-roomed house.
Media
Blog post was written by Sabriye Tenberken https://www.kanthari.org/bouncing-back
Safe House land Acquisition
Many women are forced to stay in abusive situations because they do not have safe places to run to. Precious Hearts Haven was fortunate enough to acquire a piece of land from Zvimba rural area some 100 km west of Harare. This will provide residents (survivors of abuse) a safe place to be whilst they take steps to rebuild their lives away from an abusive environment
Every dollar counts if you would wish to support us, the account details are below:
Name of account: Precious Hearts Haven
Account number/ IBAN: 56702726933012
Name of bank: BancABC bank, Chiredzi branch
SWIFT/BIC: FMBZZWHX
Bank address: BancABC Chiredzi branch, 56-57 chilonga drive, Chiredzi Zimbabwe
For more information write to us at: info@preciousheartshaven.org
