By Ying Xue A recent inquest reported by The Guardian  concluded that Michelle Sparman, a 48-year-old woman admitted to a psychiatric ward in south London, died by suicide following neglect within the mental health system. The coroner found that despite clear “red flags” indicating risk, fundamental safeguarding practices were not followed. Inadequate searching procedures, the absence of proper record-keeping, and fragmented institutional responsibility contributed to her dea

When conflict erupts, the guns may fall silent, but violence against women escalates in the shadows. Amid collapsed buildings and mass displacement, a quieter emergency grows: rising gender-based violence against displaced and marginalised women. For donors and allies committed to justice, the message is urgent. GBV funding must reach displaced women now — not as an afterthought, but as a core pillar of humanitarian response. Failing to act undermines peace, recovery, and res

The viral Bybit story may seem like entertainment, but it exposes a deeper crisis for marginalised girls in Zimbabwe. Behind the memes is a teenager shaped by poverty, trauma and exploitation — now retraumatised through online ridicule and unconsented filming. As we mark 16 Days of Activism, her case reveals how digital spaces amplify gender-based harm, especially for rural girls with little protection.

The phrase “grooming gangs” oversimplifies group-based child sexual exploitation. By reframing the discussion around safeguarding, we move beyond stereotypes and centre survivor voices. Effective protection involves listening to survivors, coordinating across agencies, and empowering communities to create safer environments. Collective responsibility is key to preventing exploitation and prioritising genuine support for those affected.

A new partnership between Bertha’s Place and Hill City Ministries is helping Christian women understand the effects of trauma and learn practical tools for emotional healing. By bringing mental wellbeing into faith spaces, this initiative encourages women to find strength without silence, compassion without self-sacrifice, and healing grounded in both faith and self-awareness.

In rural Zimbabwe, a quiet revolution is transforming an ancient tradition into a force for gender equality. The revival of Nhanga—once a space preparing girls for marriage—is now empowering them to challenge child marriage, claim their rights, and build independent futures. The Nhanga Revolution shows how cultural wisdom can become the foundation for ending gender-based violence.

In Zimbabwe’s gold-rich hills, the promise of wealth hides a harsh reality: gender-based violence, exploitation, and trauma. Women face coercion, abuse, and silence in mining camps where lawlessness thrives. Territorial disputes turn deadly, leaving families shattered. True wealth lies not in gold dust but in restoring dignity, safety, and hope. The resource curse doesn’t have to define our future.

By Nyasha B. Dube The digital age has revolutionized how we communicate, debate and interact. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and...

Where can women truly feel safe? While society has made some strides in protecting women’s rights, many spaces remain hostile. There is an increasing need to create and reinforce safe spaces: physical, emotional and digital environments where women can exist freely, express themselves without fear and find support in times of distress.

At the heart of this firestorm is not just a court case, but a woman, visibly bruised, emotionally raw and now public again, trying to navigate the wreckage of a system that many survivors say often fails them.

Sometimes, all that is needed is to reach out—and be heard. Bertha’s Legacy doesn’t currently operate in that region, but we just couldn't turn her way because every life matters. And when a cry for help comes in, we listen and we act. Because violence doesn’t wait for location boundaries.

the blurred boundaries between consensual sex work, systemic exploitation and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Zimbabwe.

International Women’s Day is approaching, and as always, it’s important to remember that this day is not about flowers

women in sports have already proven their strength, skill, and determination time and time again.

Incest rape, defined as sexual abuse perpetrated by a family member, is one of the most horrific forms of gender-based violence (GBV).

Globally, femicide—the gender-motivated killing of women—has become a chilling epidemic.

The recent, horrifying case of a 13-year-old girl raped at Harare’s Rezende terminus compels us to question if justice is achieved when only one man faces arrest, while the enabling system goes unchallenged. Arresting Givemore Mutape is a vital first step, yet focusing solely on him lets systemic neglect and the cultural acceptance of public harassment evade scrutiny. This tragedy is not isolated but the result of persistent public intimidation.

The Case of Semina Halliwell: A Heartbreaking Reminder Semina reported being sexually assaulted, a terrifying act of courage for any child.

Gender-based violence (GBV) does not emerge in isolation. It is cultivated over time, often rooted in the ways children are raised within...

Another Monday morning. The alarm blares and the weight of the world feels heavier than ever. It’s the third Monday of January, Blue Monday!