How Fact Checking & Data Journalism Can Fight GBV in Zimbabwe

The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV may be over, but the fight against injustice must continue. What happens when the social media outrage fades and activism hashtags lose momentum? How do we hold power accountable when facts are buried under misinformation, and data is manipulated to fit agendas?

Fact checking and data journalism offer powerful tools to keep the spotlight on critical issues like Gender Based Violence (GBV) year round. But are we truly leveraging these tools in Zimbabwe and across Africa? ??

Why Fact Checking and Data Journalism Matter

1. Shining Light on the Unseen. In Zimbabwe, GBV statistics are often incomplete or outdated due to underreporting. Media outlets frequently rely on anecdotal stories, leaving the real extent of GBV hidden. Fact checking ensures that newsrooms report verified, credible data.
2. Holding Leaders Accountable. Policies should be guided by evidence, not assumptions. With data driven reporting, journalists can question unfulfilled government promises about ending GBV, exposing broken systems and misallocated funds.
3. Dispelling Dangerous Myths. Misleading beliefs like “men can’t be victims” or “GBV is a private matter” persist because of unchecked narratives. Fact checking debunks such myths using research backed data and survivor testimonies.
4. Driving Social Action. Accurate data inspires meaningful advocacy. People are more likely to support campaigns or demand reforms when they understand the true scale of a crisis.

Zimbabwe in Context, GBV Data Gaps

• According to ZimStat, over 7 000 GBV cases were reported in Zimbabwe in the first half of 2023. However, over 60% of GBV survivors never file reports due to stigma and mistrust in the legal system.
• Media monitoring shows that only 25% of GBV related articles published in Zimbabwean outlets in 2023 cited verified data sources.

How Does Zimbabwe Really Compare to Other African Countries?

1. South Africa

• GBV Prevalence. One of the world’s highest, with a woman murdered every three hours (2023 data).
• Media Response. Strong investigative journalism networks like GroundUp regularly fact check government data on GBV and police reporting failures.

2. Kenya

• GBV Prevalence. 47% of women aged 15-49 have experienced GBV (2023 DHS report).
• Media & Tech Tools. Africa Check operates actively, verifying claims related to GBV and tracking progress on national policies.

3. Nigeria

• GBV Prevalence. Over 30% of women have experienced domestic violence (UN Women 2023).
• Media Fact Checking. Investigative outlets like Premium Times use data journalism to expose flawed justice systems and underreporting in rural areas.

4. Uganda

• GBV Prevalence. 56% of married women report intimate partner violence (UNFPA 2023).
• Media Initiatives. Ugandan outlets partner with Data for Good to fact check parliamentary statements on GBV.

5. Rwanda

• GBV Prevalence. 35% reported cases (Rwanda Bureau of Statistics 2023).
• Data Revolution. Rwanda has pioneered open data portals that allow journalists and activists to access crime and health data in real time.

What’s Missing in Zimbabwe?

1. Data Transparency. Accurate, regularly updated GBV data is often missing due to fragmented data collection systems. "Independent" data journalism platforms can fill this gap.
2. Fact Checking Ecosystem. While platforms like ZimFact have made strides, Zimbabwe still lacks nationwide, coordinated media watchdogs like Africa Check in Kenya.
3. Media Training. Many journalists lack data literacy skills to interpret GBV statistics, leading to shallow reporting that limits public awareness.

The Power of Data Journalism

Imagine this, a Zimbabwean newsroom collaborates with data scientists and tech developers to create an interactive GBV tracker. It:

• Maps out reported GBV cases by location.
• Compares data against police, health and court records.
• Fact checks government claims about reducing GBV rates.

Result? Not only would it expose underreporting, but it could also hold officials accountable, push for better policy implementation and spark public action.

Come to think of it...

• Are we ready to demand a national GBV data portal in Zimbabwe?
• Should media houses invest more in data journalism training?
• How can we build a culture of fact checking to fight misinformation about GBV?

?? To Media Houses - Invest in data journalism and fact checking teams focused on GBV and human rights.

?? To the Government - Launch an open data portal with monthly GBV reports, available to journalists, researchers and activists.

?? To Readers - Stay critical. Demand facts, not opinions. Support credible media outlets that fact-check stories on GBV.

What steps can Zimbabwe take to become a fact checking and data journalism powerhouse in the fight against GBV? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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