The government has launched revised clinical guidelines on the care and management of survivors of sexual violence, aimed at strengthening the country’s response and giving health workers updated tools to provide comprehensive care.
The guidelines were unveiled by Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora in Harare on Thursday.
They build on existing protocols that require survivor-centred care based on dignity, confidentiality and informed consent. Health facilities must also provide services free of charge, and survivors do not need a police report to access care.
The updated framework gives health workers a standardised approach to managing sexual violence cases across Zimbabwe, and recognises that survivors include women, girls, men and boys of all ages.
Speaking at the launch, Mombeshora said the guidelines were more than a policy document and should translate into meaningful support for survivors seeking help.
“We are not merely launching a document. We are strengthening Zimbabwe’s commitment to ensure that every survivor of sexual violence receives timely, professional, compassionate and dignified care,” he said.
Mombeshora added that while women and girls remain disproportionately affected, the revised guidelines deliberately recognise that men and boys can also be victims of sexual violence and are entitled to the same quality of care, support and protection.
The guidelines are also expected to improve coordination between the health sector, the police, social welfare services, the judiciary, local authorities and community structures in responding to sexual violence.
More: Health Times
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