PSH Zimbabwe Senior Country Representative, Staci Leuschner (L) and Deputy Head of Mission & Head of Development Co-operation, Berthollet Kaboru
SWEDEN has given the Population Solutions for Health (PSH) formerly (Population Services International (PSI) additional funding worth SEK15 (US$1,6 million) for its campaign against child marriages and gender based violence (GBV).
This booster shot of financial aid comes at a time when COVID-19 has worsened GBV and child marriage woes in the country.
“The Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated GBV including child marriages. To intensify dialogue and awareness around these issues Sweden has awarded a further SEK15 million to Population Services International for the design and placement of an 18 month national campaign against child marriages in Zimbabwe.
“This will complement the already running #LoveShouldntHurtZw campaign,” the Swedish Embassy in Harare announced via its Facebook Page.
Zimbabwe has been battling the scourge of gender based violence with over 20 000 cases recorded in 2019. The figure doubled to 40 000 in 2020 while between January and August 2021 there were 26 779 cases reported.
