By Staff Reporter
On 21 April 2026, the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) hosted a Community Training on the Domestic Violence Act (DVA) Chapter 5:16 in Hwange District, Matabeleland North Province. The training was delivered under CNRG’s Community-Led Resistance to Violence Against Women in Regions Affected by Extractive Industries in Zimbabwe Project, supported by Amplify Change, and brought together at least 30 women from mining-affected communities for a full day of legal empowerment and justice literacy.
The training drew notable community leadership, with Councillor Rodah Sibanda of Ward 9 and Councillor Chiratidzo Ndimba of Ward 2 both attending and actively participating in the sessions. Their presence underscored the importance of local governance structures in championing women’s rights. A cohort of trained community paralegals also participated, strengthening the network of frontline advocates equipped to support survivors across Hwange’s mining communities.
Hwange District is Zimbabwe’s foremost coal mining region, where the expansion of extractive operations has deepened women’s vulnerabilities generating economic dependency, displacement, and heightened exposure to domestic violence and sexual exploitation. Despite the existence of the DVA, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, and a national Gender Policy, these legal frameworks have remained largely inaccessible to grassroots communities.
In addition, facilitated by Senior Programme Officer Cathrine Chimanda and Project Officer Tanaka Ndongera, the training covered the legal definition of domestic violence, who is protected under the DVA, how to apply for Protection Orders, and practical reporting mechanisms including Hwange’s Victim-Friendly Units and the Counselling Services Unit. In hands-on sessions, participants drafted formal petitions to the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, transforming lived experiences into actionable advocacy instruments.
At least 30 women left the training equipped to identify abuse, navigate justice systems, and access referral pathways to courts, shelters, and the ZGC. Community solidarity networks were strengthened, and CNRG’s hotline was distributed to all participants for ongoing support. One participant captured the spirit of the day: “Most women don’t make decisions when they are being abused. Today we learned that it is important that women are decisive that a protection order brings freedom.”
In a nutshell this training forms part of CNRG’s broader project: Community-Led Resistance to Violence Against Women in Regions Affected by Extractive Industries in Zimbabwe, supported by Amplify Change. CNRG continues to bring the law to the community because justice must be accessible where women live and work.