‘Behind them closed doors ‘, Traumatic experiences of GBV

By Crucial Kuwanga

29 year old Nyarai (Not a real name) is not well versed with the ideal kind of marriage, but the effects, trauma, pain is vividly clear in her facial expressions while narrating her tale in the hands of domestic violence.

In her case, it became normality to take blows and beatings from time to time.

Following 5 years of an abusive marriage, it escalated to the point where she was stabbed by a knife.

In Zimbabwe, gender-based violence is especially prevalent. Nearly 50% of the country’s women have experienced either physical or sexual violence at some point in their lifetime.

Gender-Based violence refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power, and harmful norms.

Nyarai’s eyes are filled with tears as she narrates her story.

“It started as slaps that grew to fists, I encountered all sorts of beatings from the man I called my husband.”

“The worst mistake was me trying to cover up for him, afraid to admit to society, “she said.

Research notes that physical abuse, sexual violence of the larger population of Zimbabwe is in rural areas where they do not know anything.

This creates a culture of silence among women and also perpetuates violence against them.

In her case, Nyarai was afraid to speak up and endured the abuse.

“I did not know how to say it, I covered It up and had to hide the pain which up to now I feel traumatized and I’m left with scars to show.”

Existing high levels of GBV cases are highly driven by social norms which have made man be dominant creating gender inequalities.

Musasa Project, a leading organization offering abused women shelter and counseling services, said it recorded 764 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) between the start of the lockdown on March 30 2020/and April 9, 2020.

Domestic violence, especially against women has been on the rise.

Despite Nyarai being a survivor, GBV has its own negative effects.

According to the World Bank, gender-based violence results in a loss of about 3.7% of a country’s total GDP.