2009

The Anti-Domestic Violence Council (ADVC) was established in terms of section 16 of the Domestic Violence Act (Chapter 5:16) of 2007. The ADVC was launched in October 2009 and has been operational since then though with very little resources and at very low capacity.

Membership of the Council includes the following: Government Institutions which are Justice and Legal Affairs, Health and Child Welfare, Department of Social Services, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Education, Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Council of Chiefs, Churches and Civic Society Organisations concerned with the welfare of children and women.

The functions of the ADVC among many others are: to keep under constant review the problem of domestic violence in Zimbabwe, to promote research into the problem of domestic violence, to promote the establishment of safe houses as well as promote provision of support services for complainants where the respondent who was the source of support for the complainant and his/her dependants has been imprisoned. The ADVC has also been tasked to take all steps to disseminate information and increase awareness of the public on domestic violence.

Response of the Government of Zimbabwe to the questionnaire on violence against women 2011; Response of the Government of Zimbabwe to the questionnaire on Beijing +15, 2009