HARARE - Vice President Joice Mujuru says women are their own enemies as they continue to attack each other when campaigning for positions of authority.

Speaking at a belated International Women’s Day celebration, Mujuru said at times women are “jealous” of each other’s success, ending up sabotaging national progress.

“Dzimwe nguva ndinonetsekana muhunhu wedu isu madzimai, tinofanira kutsigirana kuita sevanhu venepfungwa imwe chete (At times I am troubled with our behaviour as women, we must support each other as people with one agenda),” she said.

Mujuru told delegates at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) that people should strive to eliminate violence against women and girls as this destroys national fabric and culture.

“When violence especially in the home manifests itself, women and the girl child suffer the most. To all men of Zimbabwe and fathers in our nation, my question to you is what can you do to ensure that your women and girls are safe and free from violence?”

Mujuru said due to continued awareness campaigns by the ministry of Women and Gender Development, more women were opening up to police and arrests against perpetrators of domestic violence being arrested.

She said statistics from police indicate an upward trend in the number of domestic violence cases being handled by police.

According to Mujuru, in 2008, 1 940 cases were reported to the police, in  2009  3 193 cases were handled by police and in 2010, 7 628 cases were investigated by law enforcement agents, showing a sharp rise.

Mujuru said in 2011, more women reported abusive husbands to police, with figures standing at 10 351 while last year a modest increase was recorded by police with figures standing at 10 871.

Standing in for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, co-Home Affairs minister, Theresa Makone said the MDC leader was concerned about the attack of Hurungwe East MP Sarah Mahoka as it discourages women from participating in active politics. - Xolisani Ncube