“Sexual and gender-based violence checks and balances as we strive to eliminate inhumane treatment against women kind”
In recent past 3 months, we have had a busy and hectic Program of events as we managed to make a follow-up of 43 women and girls who have previously reached out for our support. These women and girls are survivors of Gender Based Violence, a serious threat to the total emancipation and total well-being of women and girls in Zimbabwe.
We have been continuing to offer professional advice and psychosocial counselling as well as referrals for further help and management to the overwhelming need for assistance from women in marginalized communities.
Sensitizatization programs in progress
Zvimba men, women, and girls on a sensitization program
Our first safe space almost complete
One of our first safe spaces for the survivors of sexual and gender-based violence has been set up in the high-density area of Harare. Setting up and renovations are almost complete and will be ready to accommodate women and girls.
As soon as the finishing touch-ups are in place, the occupants will then be able to move in.
There are, however, already very positive stories to tell from both women and men as we have been able to hold sensitization programs and workshops for 31 women/girls and 4 men in a rural setup in Zvimba on issues relating to gender-based violence. This initiative has been taken through the provision of tree planting training with an anticipation of the impending national tree planting day in December. We expect these ladies and the 4 men to practically put what they are learning or the knowledge they have acquired into practice on 1 December, a day that is set aside as a national tree planting day. It is also important to state that about 4 men showed an interest in our program, a very encouraging aspect that can assist other men to change their perceptions on women. The project is an ongoing concern and we hope to plant as many trees as possible while at the same time highlighting the negative effects of violence within our communities and families.
Seeing this as it may be, Precious Hearts Haven is working tirelessly to fulfill its mandate and to in still hope for troubled women and girls in the marginalized communities of Zimbabwe.
Upcoming projects
Abuse sensitization workshop
Tamiranashe school abuse sensitization day
PHeHA (Precious Hearts Haven) has also managed to hold a sensitization workshop that was attended by over 300 school girls in September 2022.
Topics like red flags of abuse, support systems, career guidance, and what to do when one has been abused or seen someone being abused were presented to these school girls ranging from domestic violence, gender-based violence, and sexual violence commonly referred to in Zimbabwe as rape which has been on the increase in the last few months. This workshop took place at Tamiranashe secondary school in Norton. These young girls have also been included in our network so that they may also have access to very important information regarding women’s health issues and the negative effects of early marital sex as well as early marriages. As we are writing this update a 15-year-old girl from this area has died while giving birth at a shrine, a clear picture that young girls are manipulated by sex predators since they may not have relevant information.
- In partnership with Harare City Junior Council, we are going to conduct “Feed and Clothe the street’ which is meant to help and sensitize vulnerable homeless people, with food, clothes, and other essentials. On the day we have an opportunity to educate this group of people about issues of abuse and also self-help income-generating ideas they can do in order for them to move away from the streets and start a new way of living. For this, we are looking for your support in cash and kindness to make this day successful.
- We have an upcoming Zvimba rural young women income-generating mushroom training program. A program that will help us to set up support groups at the local level. For this training to be successful we are looking for a wooden cabin which cost USD $500. This cabin will be used as a training model for the participants.
- We have an upcoming International girlchild day commemoration we are going to hold in the month of October. We hope to train 50 vulnerable girls from rural communities how to hand-sew sanitary pads on their own.
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
