700 days of the COVID-19 Lockdown, and as of 26th of February 2022, the Ministry of Health and Child Care reported that, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases had increased to 235 803 after 336 new cases all local cases, were recorded. The highest case tally was recorded in Manicaland with 115 cases. We note that the Hospitalisation rate data as at 15:00hrs on 25 February 2022, was: 45 hospitalised cases: 7 New Admissions, 7 Asymptomatic cases, 31 mild-to-moderate cases, 6 severe cases and 1 case in Intensive Care Unit. A total of 2 721 people received their 1st dose of vaccine. The cumulative number of the 1st dose vaccinated now stands at 4 353 646. A total of 1 940 recipients received their second dose bringing the cumulative number of 2nd dose recipients to 3 387 899. A total of 1 882 people received their 3rd dose of vaccine shots bringing the cumulative for 3rd doses to 119 003. Active cases went down to 4 437. The recovery rate remains at 96%. The total number of recoveries went up to 225 873 increasing by 249 recoveries. The death toll went up to 5 393, after 1 new death was recorded.
Area of Concern
Current state of Gender Based Violence in Zimbabwe
We continue to note an increase in GBV cases in the country. We further note that such high levels of sexual and gender-based violence have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and the protracted national lockdowns which have resulted in increased school dropouts, resulting in increased early marriages and a consequent alarming increase in teenage pregnancies. This harsh reality highlights the fact that risks of GBV in Zimbabwe society continue to intensify in scale and scope while the population is exposed to degenerating food insecurity, compounded by economic hardship and the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- We call upon justice delivery system to strengthen coordination mechanisms and referral pathways to effectively fight against Gender-Based Violence.
- We further call upon Government to ensure uninterrupted access to services by survivors of gender- based violence .
Source: Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe
