Zimbabwean Women Call for Stricter Penalties for Violence Against Women and Girls

By Marsha Sengwe & David Adin

On Wednesday, July 30, women’s rights advocates from across Mashonaland Central Province, operating under the banner of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WoCoZ), convened at a local motel in Bindura. Their gathering sought to persuade traditional leaders and the Judicial Services Commission to introduce and enforce stringent penalties against perpetrators of violence targeting women and girls.

The participants, who hailed from all eight administrative districts of the province, urged chiefs to lead the charge for social reform by denouncing regressive cultural practices that continue to marginalise women and girls.

Backed by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, the assembled feminists and activists agreed that any significant transformation must begin with traditional leaders. They proposed that chiefs enact by-laws criminalising cultural norms that subjugate women and girls under the pretext of tradition.

Through persistent advocacy, WoCoZ, with support from the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, has succeeded over the years in pushing for legislative reforms that have mitigated the extent of women’s oppression, including the passage of laws targeting sexual harassment in the workplace.

Commissioner Nyepudzai Nyanguni, representing the Gender Commission, also raised concern over some religious organisations. She stated that the Commission is in dialogue with churches whose doctrines perpetuate abuse against women, with the aim of restoring dignity and order within those institutions.

“We need to engage with traditional and religious leaders to promote gender equality and challenge harmful practices. The Commission is working with community leaders to develop context-specific strategies for promoting gender equality,” she said.

Margaret Mutsamvi, Executive Director of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, emphasised the urgency of addressing economic exploitation faced by women. She praised the government’s initiative in establishing the Women’s Bank but stressed the broader need for financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment.

“Women face structural barriers, such as poor access to justice, under-representation in leadership, and economic marginalisation. We are calling for increased funding for women’s economic empowerment programs and promoting financial inclusion initiatives,” she said.

Mutsamvi further urged women to engage more actively in political processes, asserting that their presence in leadership and decision-making roles is essential for amplifying their voices.

“We need to work together to promote women’s leadership and participation in decision-making processes. The Commission is calling for quotas for women in leadership positions and providing training and support for women in politics,” she said.

Chief Chipadze, who was among the stakeholders in attendance, invited all women experiencing oppression to approach his traditional court and report cases.

“We need to report cases that denigrate women and work with traditional leaders to promote gender equality,” he said.

Also in attendance was Captain (Rtd) Christopher Magomo, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Mashonaland Central. He was petitioned by the women to take their grievances to Parliament, where he serves as the representative for Guruve South constituency.

Ms. Mutsamvi appealed to the Minister to influence his fellow legislators and Parliament at large to allocate resources for the protection of women from all forms of abuse, and to fund public awareness campaigns against gender-based violence. She also called for the allocation of resources to support the rehabilitation and economic empowerment of survivors of such violence.

Additionally, she encouraged the Minister to advocate for the comprehensive implementation of the National Action Plan on the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. This resolution aims to enhance women’s involvement in peacebuilding, shield them from violence, and reinforce their roles in conflict resolution.

In his response, Minister Magomo acknowledged the urgent need to protect women from abuse and pledged his commitment.

“We need to review strategies and work together to promote gender equality in all sectors. The Commission’s work is crucial in promoting gender equality and addressing systemic gender-based issues in Zimbabwe. As the country moves forward, it is essential to continue advocating for gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment in all sectors,” he said.

About The Author