Harare — THE Ministry of Women's Affairs, Gender and Economic Development is appealing for funding from Government and donors to make the Domestic Violence Act effective.

Addressing hundreds of women from various political backgrounds in Harare recently, the Minister, Cde Oppah Muchinguri, said progress in implementing the Act has been hampered by lack of funding.

"Many women have been complaining that the Act has not assisted them since it was passed, but my hands are also tied as the minister responsible for that ministry.

"Last year, I did not receive any allocation for that project and for this year, nothing has come yet."

She said since the Act was passed, no financial support had been allocated for the programme.

"For as long as we do not receive funding to implement such initiatives, they will just exist on paper but will not protect anyone in practice," Cde Muchinguri said.

The Domestic Violence Act was passed in 2006 following lobbying from the Ministry of Women Affairs in conjunction with women activists, resulting in Government effecting a law with stiffer penalties against perpetrators.

In the past, domestic violence offences were charged under grievous bodily harm or common assault, which attracted paltry fines or community service for offenders, thus failing to serve as a deterrent.

Most men believe the Act is there to protect

women only, but according to Musasa Project, women make up 99 percent of domestic violence victims.

The remaining 1 percent of men is also catered for.