Walking a Mile in Her Shoes: Harare’s HeForShe March Echoes A Call for Real Change

Editorial Comment By Ilyana Sithole

The pulsating beat of the ZRP band, a lively counterpoint to the grandeur of the message, echoed through the streets of Harare on the 29th of January. The HeForShe Solidarity March against Gender-Based Violence, organized jointly by the European Union, UN Women, and the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development was more than a procession; it was the most strong evidence to the rising call demanding an end to this insidious scourge. The march, from the Harare International Conference Centre to the Townhouse, was a potent metaphor for the often-stumbling journey toward gender equality—a journey that requires not just grand pronouncements but tangible, measurable action.

The keynote address by Hon. Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, was full of both urgency and hope. Her words acknowledged legislative reform and policy implementation progress made by Zimbabwe, using as a milestone the 2021 launch of the High-Level Political Compact on Ending Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices. The Minister’s address was no mere catalog of achievements; rather, an honest acknowledgment of the stubborn challenges that still plague Zimbabwean society.

She spoke of the grim reality of domestic violence, insidious trauma from child sexual abuse, forced confinement of child marriages, and pervasive harassment faced by women both in public and private spaces. What really made the speech by Minister Mutsvangwa stand above the usual political speech is what she spoke about: GBV that is usually not spoken about, GBV in public spaces. She gave a clear picture of the daily mistreatment and dangers faced by women and girls whose freedom of movement is curtailed by fear, whose basic rights are violated by harassment and intimidation. The focus on women’s lived experiences, their everyday struggles to move in a world that is often hostile, was a strong reminder that policy pronouncements have to translate into real change on the ground.

The march itself was a powerful symbol of the unified effort: men and women coming together, united in their quest for equality. It was not just a women’s issue; it was a human issue—another look at how gender equality requires the active participation of all members of society. The presence of ambassadors, government officials, and representatives from civil society brought into sharp focus the multi-faceted nature of the fight against GBV—one that requires cooperation and dedication at all levels.

Moreso, the Beijing +30 campaign commemoration, which was inwoven into the fabric of the event, provided another layer of meaning. Minister Mutsvangwa correctly noted that these anniversaries are not occasions for self-congratulation but, rather, moments for critical reflection. They are chances that allow us to take stock and reflect on the distance traveled but, more important, the road still ahead in our pursuit for gender equality. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was at the epicenter of such struggle for women and girls—a roadmap that keeps up with commitments undertaken and the action that must follow.

In addition, the creation of initiatives such as the Epworth Safe Market, where the government tries to create a safe workspace for women entrepreneurs, was a tangible example of this commitment to dealing with the economic dimensions of GBV. When it comes to economic empowerment for women, people are not only pushing for the improvement of livelihood but also trying to give survivors the much needed resources to get out of an abusive situation and build another future for themselves and their families.

Be that as it may, the recent HeForShe march was more than a people walking with placards held high; it was a call to action. It is a sobering reminder that the fight against GBV is not a sprint but a marathon, one that requires both sustained effort and unwavering commitment to challenging deep-seated societal norms that perpetuate inequality and violence. But when the echoes of the ZRP band finally died out, one thing was clear: the journey toward gender equality does go on, and every step, every voice, every act of solidarity gets closer to the day when each can walk without fear. The march wasn’t just a walk; it was a promise.