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Harare-Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU), an affiliate of Industrial Global Union, has announced its alignment with the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, to be observed from 25 November to 10 December 2025.
The union joins the global campaign under the theme “UNITE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl in the mining sector, society, and within unions can live and work free from violence and harassment, both offline and online.
ZDAMWU said ending gender-based violence in all its forms is non-negotiable.
The union’s leadership added that the time to act is now, and it will continue its efforts until GBVH is eradicated from workplaces, communities, and digital spaces.
. Tendai Mpundu, Chairperson of ZDAMWU’s Women Committee, did not mince her words on the seriousness of the issue.
“Every woman and girl in our sector, society and the unions, has the right to live and work free from all forms of violence and harassment, offline and online. This is non-negotiable. The time to act is now. We will not stop until gender-based violence is eradicated from our workplaces, communities, and digital spaces.” She said.
The message highlighted troubling statistics, 58% of girls and young women have experienced online harassment, and inadequate laws leave 44% of the world’s women and girls without legal protection, reinforcing a culture of impunity.
As a trade union, ZDAMWU says it is essential to counter hate speech and emerging forms of workplace violence in all its activities.
The union notes that ILO Convention 190 provides a crucial framework addressing all forms of violence, including those enabled by digital technology.
It also points to provisions within its Labour Act aimed at dealing with GBVH in workplaces and society.
To translate policy into practice, ZDAMWU has established a comprehensive Gender Policy and pledges to play a decisive role in the mining industry by negotiating workplace policies that prohibit online harassment and digital abuse; delivering training, particularly for young workers, on recognizing and preventing digital violence; and integrating GBVH into occupational health and safety systems as well as gender-responsive risk assessments.
The union also commits to securing safe, confidential complaint mechanisms, advocating for strong legislation, and supporting survivors with access to legal, psychological, and social services.
Collaboration with the global labour movement and civil society will be pursued to share good practices and to press employers and tech companies to be accountable.
ZDAMWU stresses that ending violence is essential for justice, equality, and human rights.
The union pledges to lead this process in the mining sector, holding employers and social media platforms to account.
Members are urged to participate actively in the 16 Days of Activism, beginning 25 November, and to share information and actions using the hashtag #NoExcuse.
Tendai Mpundu reiterates the union’s commitment:
“ZDAMWU will act decisively to advance GBVH protections and to ensure safer digital spaces for women and girls, within mining communities and beyond.” She said
ZDMWU Secretary General, John Chinhema expressed solidarity with the union’s Women committee saying there is no room for GBVH in their union and areas of operation.
