core functions of detecting, investigating, and preventing crime, there is sufficient evidence from empirical
research showing how poverty of security providers undermines effectiveness in service delivery, and
conversely, how economically stable security providers and improved service provision are mutually
constitutive. The ZRP WN stands out unique as it creatively revolutionised policing practice in the context
of precipitous economic decline, thus ensuring that the police continue to render effective service delivery
to members of the public.
Operation Campaigns: Having empowered themselves with requisite skills and economic resources, the
ZRP WN reconfigured roles and redefined policing work to include ‘hard tack ling’ of the SGBV menace
in rural and urban centres. From 2009 to date, the Women Network, in partnership with other police
units, has successfully mounted several anti-SGBV operations, including:
(1) Operation Chawakadya Chamuka 1 and 2 (those who committed sexual violence will face the full wrath of the
law). The blitz nabbed “1,191 wanted persons for various sexual offences inclusive of rape, indecent
assault, having sexual intercourse with a minor and domestic violence” (Zimbabwe Republic Police
Women Network, 2012).
(2) Dzorai Hunhu (practice morals and customs which respect women and children). This country-wide
clampdown specifically targeted harmful traditional practices such as forced marriage and
prejudicial inheritance of property. Given the overwhelming amount of work, the Network was
compelled to make another design shift which included establishing multi-sectoral partnership with
legal partners, development aid agencies, and other state institutions to provide support to
perpetrators and victims alike under a common theme of 4Ps: Prevention, Protection,
Participation, and Programming. This saw the creation and resourcing of the Victim Friendly Units
(VFUs) which provided specialised services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The One
Stop Centres across the country continue to provide survivors of SGBV with free legal aid, medical
attention, and shelter.
(3) Operation Mhosva Hairovi (the long arm of the law will catch you), Operation Kurasa Hunhu Hokoyo
(a stern warning against those with loose morals), and Operation Hakuna Anosara (all criminals will be dealt
with smoothly, properly, and procedurally by the law) reinforced demands for gender justice.
In all the Operations, more than 30,896 accused persons were arrested and prosecuted, which has become
a landmark victory for women in Zimbabwe. Again, to consistently redesign their work, the Network
immersed into communities through charity and compassion, with each member expected to “participate
in at least one social responsibility activity every year” (Zimbabwe Republic Police Women Network, 2012).
To date, their donations have been targeting crime victims and the marginalised. Increasingly so, they have
earned trust and credibility from the general population. There is an exponential rise in reportage of sexual
and gender based crimes as the WN continues to gain access to hard-to-penetrate communities to get vital
information.
Recommendation.
1. In order to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the ZRP to address violence against women, there
is a need to promote and institutionalise ZRP WN’s structures into all-female formed police units across
the country. At the moment the ZRP WN is not fully appreciated, therefore resisted and dismissed as a
voluntary organisation by the male police officers. However, having all-female police stations might not be
sufficient without pushing for 60% composition of female police officers in the ZRP. Men dominate not
only what is still a traditional society but also the police service, in which they are in a clear numerical
majority. The number of respective female and male police is inversely proportional to the female
population in the country. There is no collinearity as exemplified by the proportion of the police based on
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