TaLI implemented the Frontline Rapid Response to GBV cases during Covid 19. The Msasa Project published report of May 2020 gave birth to the Frontline Rapid Responders work. The Msasa Project report outlined that, ‘due to Covid-19 there has been an increase in gender based violence reported cases’. Ms Nyaradzo Mashayamombe then came to the realization that TaLI had already trained girls and young women that may be of great importance in the fight against Gender Based Violence as Frontline Rapid Responders. Therefore, the organization retrained the girls and young women, both the alumni and the current class to strengthen their ability to respond to GBV cases online. This attracted the support of Global Fund for Women and HIVOS. Tag a Life International took the already trained in leadership and empowerment girls and young women , on the 9th of April 2020. The organisation offered a refresher course to the Frontline responders guided by the Multi-sectoral protocol on ending gender based violence, on offering the basic counseling, psycho social support, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, case follow ups and direct victims to resources and the referral pathway so that they know what to do when they receive cases of abuse. We have been using various media platforms that include digital fliers, comic illustrations and the national television to raise awareness and the know how to where to look for help and where to report their cases. TaLI is supported the Frontline Rapid Responders with weekly data packages to enable them to do the work and assist clients without hindrances. The weekly package is composed of airtime for calls, text bundles, data bundles and Whatsapp bundles. Thus, the services are available even to those without Whatsapp through texts messages and also on all social media platforms Since we started our young women have responded to various types of gender based violence in which some are reporting emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, forced child marriages, justice issues and some just in need of counseling or someone to talk to in confidentiality. Examples of cases we have dealt with so far includes a case of a girl child who was sexually abused by her father and the whole family wanted it to be a secret and never wanted the case to be reported, the other case was a woman who was physically abused by her husband simply because her project seems to be flourishing than that of her spouse and the spouse took it upon her for the misfortunes he was having on his project. Also among the cases we have dealt with a case where the parents were forcing their girl child below the age of 18 to marry an older man without her consent when she wanted to pursue with her studies and again a case was reported of a pregnant lady who was severely beaten by a police officer for walking in the streets while people were told to stay indoors, the lady succumbed to severe bleeding due to the beating she had received from the police and wanted justice to be served. 

 Quotes from the Frontline Rapid Responders: ‘’It has been a pain to realize that people seem to live peacefully when they spend the day somewhere else, parents at their separate work places and children in their schools and only meet for their daily supper and sleep. The peace however seem to have been dissolved by the lockdown period in which families (the whole) are obliged to stay at home and as a result cases of gender based violence are being reported 27/7.” Deon Nyanhewe 

 “Working as a Frontline Rapid Responder is good and challenging as l sometimes feel the victims aren’t getting enough help. l try by all means to help people that are experiencing gender based violence and l can safely say it’s a nice feeling to help someone as most of them will be lost …..” Sinikiwe Paidamoyo Vela 

“As a young woman l strongly stand against Gender Based Violence because it has destroyed too many strong women and I say enough is enough. Let’s not suffer in silence! We deserve to live in a safe world.” Nyasha Viola Matambo 

“It is such an overwhelming experience giving back to the society as per our training by tag a life international.” Wendy Njovo 

“I can say it is a good thing to offer a hand to fellow young women facing GBV however some of the issues we receive and respond to are so touching and some very scary and disturbing. I can’t really express my feelings in a single word.” Tariro Tawodzera