Peace Fund Grant Enables NVCTI to Combat Gender-Based Violence & Substance Abuse

By Phillip Mudzidzi

Phillip Mudzidzi and other NVCTI leaders plan a workshop to combat gender-based violence and substance abuse in Zimbabwe.

With our Peace Fund grant, the Non-Violent Conflict Transformation Initiative (NVCTI in Zimbabwe offered 2 workshops and equipped more than 75 people with knowledge on gender-based violence (GBV) and how to use dialogue as a means to transform conflict. After these workshops, more people have been coming to receive counseling and support to deal with real issues of violence and abuse. We helped 4 women seek legal counsel and find protection from their abusers. Some are coming together as couples, too. Five young men voluntarily revealed their problems with drugs and committed to work towards rehabilitation in order to find positive transformation in their relationships. They find a judgmental attitude exhibited in church towards people trying to come out of substance abuse prohibits them from talking freely about it. Because of our informative workshops, they said they are now able to make better-informed choices and help others in the same situation.

We pray for wisdom and strategies for building a peaceful Zimbabwe. This December, we plan to host another workshop for couples on dialogue and problem-solving. Thank you so much to BPFNA and all its members for the support. We continue to ask for your prayers.