By Edwick Madzimure, Chapter Coordinator, Zimbabwe for a World BEYOND War, March 13, 2024
In Zimbabwe, rural communities are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. Zimbabwe has been hit by the El Nino drought and this will contribute to more insecurities as people from communities will be fighting for resources. There has been a high crime rate and the use of illegal firearms which are not registered is very common. On International Women’s Day, the Zimbabwean chapter of World BEYOND War took the opportunity to do a belated commemoration of the Disarmament and Non-proliferation Day which was on 5 March.
The chapter raised awareness on disarmament and non-proliferation to women from grass-roots communities. Raising awareness on disarmament and non-proliferation was important for women because it allowed for their recognition and inclusion in the discourse on violent conflicts and small arms proliferation in Africa. The current initiatives and plans of action addressing small arms proliferation tend to exclude or downplay the roles and participation of women, which undermines their capacity as actors in the security sector. By adopting a critical perspective on gendered construction of violence and security, policies and action strategies can be designed to be more effective and comprehensive, taking into account the roles and ideas of women in addressing small arms proliferation and its related violent conflicts. Additionally, integrating women into disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs is crucial for their full participation and benefit from these programs. These awareness sessions can ensure women contribute to the disarmament debate and call for a world where there is no war.
