Definitions, Prevalence and Ways to Curb Gender Based Violence: Empirical Findings from Police and Public in Bindura, Zimbabwe
Spikelele Mtetwa

Abstract
There is a general upsurge of gender based violence cases at national level in Zimbabwe albeit the existence of measures and structures to reduce them. Against this background, this study examined public and police’s perceptions of gender based violence (GBV) in Bindura town, Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe. The study sought to improve knowledge on (GBV) through identifying the meaning, forms, prevalence and possible solutions to end GBV in Bindura. A survey was conducted where 76 questionnaires were completed by 32 police officers and 44 members of the public selected through purposive sampling. Results indicate that the public and police are well versed with GBV issues. Nonetheless, cultural and religious beliefs perpetuate the existing beliefs and skewed power relations which justify, enhance and conceal GBV cases. The prevalent forms of violence are physical and sexual. There is need to reshape cultural scripts of assertive masculinity and permissive femininity to end GBV.

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