UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Pete Vowles has amplified voice on domestic violence calling on men to take charge of their actions and end violence against women and girls.
Vowles, used a Shona‑language video message to urge men across the country to take an active role in ending violence against women and girls.
Local organisation, Men4Equality Trust in conjunction with the UK Embassy to Zimbabwe produced the video.
The recording was released on the final day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender‑Based Violence, a global campaign that runs from November 25 to December 10 each year.
In the video, Vowles, who is fluent in Shona, addressed the issue directly: “Ndinonzi Pete Vowles, ndini British Ambassador ku Zimbabwe. Ndinoda kukurukura nezve mhirizhonga ku madzimai ichikonzerwa ne varume. Tinoona kuti domestic violence idambudziko rekushungurudzwa kwamadzimai nevadikani wavo, varume‑mu pfungwa, mumoyo nepa nyama. Iri idambudziko repasi rose, ndicha kupai ma numbers acho. Mu Zimbabwe one in three madzimai vanoshungurudzwa ne varume. Uyewo mu Britain one in four vanoshungurudzwa hupenyu hwose.”
He continued, “Mhirizhonga inogamuchirwa sechinhu chakanaka. Isu tose ku nyanya varume tine basa guru kuchinja mafungiro nemaitiro akadaro. Sekuti tinofanira kutaura neku tsiura varume vano shungurudza madzimai. Varume tinofanira kutsiura vamwe varume vanotaura manzwi kana ma jokes anodzikisira madzimai.”
The ambassador’s remarks highlighted statistics from both Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom. According to the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey 2023, one in three women in Zimbabwe has experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner, while the UK’s Office for National Statistics reports that one in four women in Britain will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Vowles emphasised that the problem is not confined to any single nation:
“This is a global problem…therefore, this issue must be addressed urgently. This problem is caused by societal attitudes everywhere, not only in Zimbabwe. Violence is sometimes accepted as normal,” he said.
“All of us, especially men, have a big responsibility to change such attitudes and behaviours. We must speak out and condemn men who abuse women.”
The video, produced by Men4Equality Trust with the support of the British Embassy in Harare, will be distributed through local radio stations, social‑media platforms and community centres. It forms part of a broader partnership between the UK and Zimbabwe aimed at strengthening legal frameworks and support services for survivors of gender‑based violence.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign concluded today with a series of events across the country. The Zimbabwe Gender Commission has organised a march in the capital on Thursday to mark the end of the campaign. Ambassador Vowles’ Shona statement is expected to be a focal point of the national dialogue on how men can become allies in preventing domestic violence.
In an effort to amplify men as allies in ending gender‑based violence, the UK Embassy is working with men’s organisations such as the Men4Equality Trust to promote positive masculinity as a pathway to eliminating violence.
