ICAPA Community Screenings 2024
daily live updates
ICAPA’s outreach program kicked off on 15. October in Chipinge, bringing together various community members to address the pressing issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) as well as child abuse and early child marriages.
DAY 1 15. October 2024
The first event in the Musirizwi community featured two powerful film screenings, PERETERA MANETA (Zimbabwe, 2007), in which young university graduate teacher challenges a malicious headmaster at a rural school, and PICTURE MY LIFE STORY NO 7 (Zimbabwe, 2020) in which a woman who suffered multiple injuries and in an extremely abusive relationship, was able to leave the abuser. The films sparked intense discussions and debate among attendees.
During the discussion following the films the Musirizwi community members emphasized the importance of communication in preventing GBV, noting that spouses must be able to communicate effectively, allowing each other to speak and listening to what is said at all times, to avoid violent interactions.
The need to empower women to be independent and responsible was also highlighted after the screening of PICTURE MY LIFE STORY NO 7. Community members at the event urged women to take power for themselves and be responsible enough to work on their own lives rather than relying solely on men. In this way, it was observed, women could prevent men from taking advantage of their vulnerability.
In further discussion, parents were encouraged to provide safe spaces for children to report abuse as well as other issues that children face. The need for parents to be sober and alert to their children’s behaviors, was also emphasized. Parents were advised to pay attention to what children say, and desist from the habit of blaming their children when the children confide in them, especially about abuse. Participants also urged teachers to be vigilant in order to identify students who might be suffering from abuse. They also further encouraged each other, as community members, to be on the lookout.
The key takeaway from the first day of the Chipinge outreach, emanating from community members’ requests, was the need for more frequent programmes of this nature, especially in schools, to proactively impact on gender based violence and child abuse in a wider range of communities.
DAY 2 16. October 2024
In the morning of the second day of the outreach a number of stakeholders gathered for a screening in Chipinge town, focusing on pressing issues related to sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, child marriages, and community empowerment.
The screening featured two impactful documentaries. The first, PICTURE MY LIFE STORY NO 3 (Zimbabwe, 2020), detailed the harrowing experience of a 19-year-old who was sexually abused at 9 years. While justice was served, concerns were raised about the generally minimal sentences given to repeat offenders, highlighting the inadequacies of the justice system. The second film, PICTURE MY LIFE STORY NO 6 (Zimbabwe, 2020), depicted a young girl’s emotional journey through teenage pregnancy and abuse from both her husband and family, resulting in a miscarriage and continuous suffering.
Following the screenings at the stakeholders meeting, discussions emphasized the urgent need to combat stigma surrounding sexual abuse victims. A representative from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education noted the harsh reactions victims face, especially in school settings. Privacy and confidentiality were underscored as critical components in addressing issues related to abuse.
Stakeholders discussed the necessity of ensuring that suggestion boxes are present in all schools to facilitate better reporting of abuse. While guidance and counseling sessions are mandatory in schools, the lack of formal psychological training for many teachers remains a major barrier. The Zimbabwe Republic Police representative encouraged reporting incidents of abuse, noting that cases can be reported even after a decade, and although resource limitations may hinder evidence collection, several parties can testify against the perpetrator with conviction being a possible outcome.
Later in the day, a community screening took place in the Bangira community, showcasing two films: PICTURE MY LIFE STORY NO 12 (Zimbabwe, 2022) which shared Grace’s resilience after losing her father and struggling through hardship with her mother, and the short film SHARING DAY (Zimbabwe, 2009) which focuses on child abuse and the HIV pandemic.
Post-screening discussion with the Bangira community centred on people taking charge of their livelihoods and understanding their rights, with an emphasis on the importance of self-reliance. A major concern about children in her community who are denied education due to family pressures, particularly as a result of step-mothers prioritizing labor over schooling, was raised by one of the community members.
Community engagement was emphasized, amid calls for parental responsibility and recognition of the importance of understanding the circumstances behind abuse. A notable increase in violence against women was highlighted, along with the need for comprehensive education on constitutional rights as people often fall victim because of lack of knowledge.
A take away from the day’s session was that, moving forward, community education and engagement are essential for effective change.
DAY 3 17. October 2024
On the third day of the outreach, screenings were conducted in the Tongogara Refugee Camp community and the camp's host community. Tongogara Refugee Camp is situated close to Rupisi in southeastern Zimbabwe.
Audiences at the refugee camp engaged in powerful discussions following the screening of some short films addressing gender-based violence, early child marriages, child abuse, mental health, as well as women empowerment which took place early in the day.
The first film, IN THE MORNING (South Africa, 2022) depicted Thandi’s trauma after killing her father to protect her mother, which sparked discussions on the importance of seeking help instead of resorting to drug abuse. Community members emphasized that witnessing domestic violence can perpetuate a cycle of abuse, urging parents to show exemplary positive behavior, and encouraging children to report any violence they witness.
The second film, FOUR WALLS AND A ROOF (SA/ Zimbabwe, 2021) highlighted the tragic consequences of greed through the story of a mother and her son living illegally in South Africa. The community members stressed the value of pursuing dreams through hard work rather than seeking shortcuts, strongly advising against illegal living situations. They also discussed how to address wrongdoing among elders, advocating for communication and reporting to authorities when necessary.
The final film screened at the camp, IN MY FATHER’S VILLAGE (Zimbabwe, 2017) iinspired discussions on the importance of women standing up for themselves and fighting for their rights, as well as the need to investigate claims, especially from relatives, rather than blindly accepting them.
Afternoon screenings, conducted in the Tongogara host community, addressed child marriages and sexual abuse.
The short film EDO (Cameroon, 2017) presented a heartbreaking story where a child is killed in a domestic violence incident, while AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW (Zimbabwe, 2022) explored the traumatic impacts of sexual abuse and early marriage. These films led to robust discussions about the community's role in protecting children and the necessity of treating every child as a shared responsibility rather than seeing them as possible marriage partners at a young age.
Community members volunteered their thoughts on the urgent need to report abuse and ensure children have a safe environment to grow up in. They encouraged each other to leave violent relationships. They also expressed frustration over the lack of seriousness with which police handle cases of domestic violence, especially against men. The ICAPA Trust team suggested using the victim friendly channels as a first port of call, as staff in these institutions are specifically trained to handle abuse victims of any kind without gender boundaries. Audiences were also concerned with the need to addresssing substance abuse within the community, which they identified as a significant factor contributing to domestic violence.
The partnership between ICAPA, COPAZ, and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development successfully highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue and positive change, as participants critically examined their roles in ensuring personal safety and means of supporting one another.
