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Sweden is partnering with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) and other critical stakeholders in the protection and promotion of human rights in Zimbabwe.
In her remarks on International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2021, Her Excellency Åsa Pehrson, the Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe said human rights are a cornerstone of Sweden’s foreign policy and the main focus of Sweden’s presence in Zimbabwe since before independence until the present day.
In 2019, the Swedish government launched the Drive for Democracy. The Drive for Democracy is a global initiative aiming to promote and strengthen human rights, democracy, and the rule of law – in all societies at all levels.
“As part of our development cooperation in Zimbabwe, Sweden works with numerous local partners, including the UN, to improve different aspects and the realization of human rights and democracy – in many cases with a special focus on youth, women, and girls – groups that often tend to be side-lined and excluded from decision making and with less access to platforms making their voices heard,” Ambassador Pehrson said
In the midst of the COVID-19, the Swedish Embassy hosted several democracy talks on different aspects of human rights. These roundtables have included discussions on the right to education, health, climate the freedom of expression, women’s and girls’ rights, and the fight against gender-based violence and corruption. Participants include students, members of civil society, women, girls, government ministers, and civil servants.
“The purpose of our Democracy talks has been to create platforms for dialogue where decision-makers meet ordinary people, to improve the understanding between different groups and to include those who often might find it difficult to access platforms to express their views.
“I encourage all stakeholders, particularly young people, women, and girls to stand up for the realization of your human rights. The realization of your human rights will also lead to the progressive improvement of society as a whole,” she said.
Sweden has a history of supporting human rights and democracy in Zimbabwe before and after this country’s independence. The Ambassador pledged to continue to do so since democracy and human rights are worth protecting – everywhere and every day.
Dr. Alex Gasasira, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim, and WHO Representative, in a video message on Human Rights Day, said the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 goals and the National Development Strategy should guide stakeholders’ collective efforts to advance economic, social, cultural, and political rights for all in Zimbabwe.
“We need to continue working together to advance gender equality, end harmful practices such as child marriages, and ensure the inclusion of everyone, particularly those likely to be left furthest behind. We need to speed up the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement. Unless we address the climate crisis with the urgency it deserves, it will be difficult to reduce inequality and advance human rights.
“We must ensure youth participation at all levels of the development discourse decision-making processes. Zimbabwe and the world still remain in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us continue to do all we can to complement the efforts of the Government of Zimbabwe and ensure that all those eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination receive it. Let us also encourage all to comply with preventive measures including correct use of face masks, physical distancing, and hand hygiene,” Dr. Gasasira said.
Thanks to the aspirations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he said significant progress has been made over the years.
“It is possible for a future where everyone’s human rights are respected all the time and everywhere. This requires everyone to work together. The UN remains a partner and facilitator in advancing human rights.”
His Excellency Timo Olkkonen, Ambassador and Head of EU Delegation to Zimbabwe said violence against women and girls is one of the greatest injustices of our time and a despicable human rights violation that has to be stopped and condemned by everyone.
He said what might be less obvious than the violations themselves are their enormous physical, mental, social, and economic costs that follow.
“They are holding us back. They are hampering development. During the covid epidemic and the ensuing lockdowns, we have seen increased levels of violence against women and girls. We are facing headwinds in the struggle against gender-based violence and we need to unite to end this scourge.
“I would like to salute all the champions in the fight against GBV, medical personnel, police, lawyers, civil society activists, and others, who are doing such an important but often ungrateful job, sometimes putting themselves at risk, in helping survivors. For the survivors, I wish strength and resilience.
“The EU is your ally and supporter in the fight against GBV. Indeed gender equality is at the core of EU external action including development cooperation. Our main instrument in this fight here in Zimbabwe is the Spotlight initiative. Spotlight worldwide is a 500 million euro programme to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices,” Ambassador Olkkonen said.
The Spotlight Initiative in Zimbabwe is a 30 million USD investment to bring about a real change for the benefit of women and girls in the country. The Initiative is being implemented in partnership with the government of Zimbabwe, UN agencies, and civil society organisations.
Recently, the Spotlight Initiative facilitated the High-level Political Compact (HLPC) to end violence against women and girls. The Compact and its implementation plan is a demonstration of Zimbabwe’s commitment at the highest level to end this scourge.
During its two years of existence, the Spotlight Initiative has, among other actions, contributed to the provision of services to survivors of SGBV through the one-stop centres, support to the Victim friendly units, provision of equipment to the Zimbabwe Republic Police forensic laboratory as well as towards many awareness-raising activities on SGBV.
In promoting human rights and gender equality, the EU has adopted a three-track approach in the form of mainstreaming, targeted actions such as Spotlight and political dialogue. Support is also provided to human rights defenders working in different sectors to promote and protect human rights and contribute to a conducive environment for the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.