Tag: RAPE

Women Frustrated by Delays in Identifying Rapist of Grade 7 Pupil at Rank

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa  Women’s organisations have expressed frustration over the failure to identify and bring to justice the tout reportedly responsible for raping a minor in a parked commuter omnibus at the Rezende bus rank. To voice their concerns, members of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) converged on Friday at a Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Outreach Activity at the Ruzende Parkade Rank. The event, attended by women of all ages, was aimed at showing solidarity with the affected child and other women and girls who have suffered abuse at…

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Raped at a Funeral: Chinhoyi Woman Battles Post-Traumatic Mental Health Episodes

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa Sometimes she slams doors, shatters furniture, and shouts at anyone nearby. But she wasn’t always like this. Barbra Cullinan (42) of Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, now lives in perpetual fear of men, their presence a constant reminder of the horrific ordeal she endured on November 26, 2022, during the month of her birthday. On that fateful day, Barbra attended a funeral to pay her last respects to a close relative. Unbeknownst to her, a man she knew had sinister intentions. Amid the grief and mourning, he saw an…

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Silencing the Abused: Mbire Villagers Sweep Girls Sexual Abuse Cases Under the Rug

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa in Mbire It’s an early Friday morning, and villagers from communities surrounding Mushumbi Pools growth point in Mbire, troop to Mushumbi High School, where several partners are offering Gender Based Violence (GBV) services under a Mobile One Stop Centre setup. Over 100 women and girls arrived at the venue by 9:00 am. However, one can’t help but notice the visibly young children with babies strapped on their backs. At first glance, one might be tempted to assume the girls are probably ferrying their siblings and probably waiting…

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SASA Project Records Gains from Partnering Chiefs in Ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence against Women and Girls

Michael Gwarisa

WHILE Chiefs have traditionally been blamed for preserving harmful cultural practices that perpetuate abuse of women and girls, the SASA project being implemented by the Zimbabwe Association of Church related Hospitals (ZACH) has managed to rope in chiefs and other traditional leaders as allies in ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in communities. By Michael Gwarisa SASA stands for Start Awareness Support Action (SASA) and ZACH is implementing the program in eight hot spot districts (Chimanimani, Mguza, Kwekwe and Umzingwane] plus 4 additional hot spot districts). Speaking during the…

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How To Make A Police Report For A Rape Or Sexual Gender Based Violence Offense?

Michael Gwarisa

MANY a time, survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) or rape find themselves between a rock and hard surface after a rape crime would have been perpetrated against them. Due to information gaps, some rape survivors fail to take the necessary post rape procedures and keep the rape a secret leading to some health complications. By Michael Gwarisa It is imperative to note that in as much as rape or SGBV is a crime, it is first and foremost a health emergency. Thus, survivors are advised to seek…

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Taking Child Marriages And SGBV Fight Right To The Doorstep Of Marginalized Tribes In Mbire

Michael Gwarisa
Women in Mazambara, Mbire benefit from the SASA model

MBIRE district in Mashonaland Central is home to vast wildlife including the famous Big Five even though one of the animals, the Black Rhino has since vanished from the picture. Despite the rugged terrain and a poor road network ahead, the meandering and curvaceous road leading to Mbire through the Mavhuradonha mountain range makes one green with envy. By Michael Gwarisa recently in Mbire However, beyond this beauty lies a monster, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), which has led to a spike in the incidence and prevalence of early…

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Zim Rape Law Not Protecting Minors Against Sexual Predators

Michael Gwarisa

CIVIL Society Organizations have come out guns blazing against High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi who recently granted a 26-year-old sex worker Precious Teya bail after ruling that the 13-year-old boy whom she had engaged in transactional sex with was actually a willing participant. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes, Padare/Ekundleni Men’s Forum Programs Officer Jonathan Memory said the   law should be applied without any prejudice and both the girl and boy child should be treated equally at law. There are issues that are there with this bail…

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Women Cant Rape Men According to Zimbabwean Law

Michael Gwarisa

DO you all still remember those days a few years back when newspapers would be flooded with stories of women who would target drunk unsuspecting men, have sex with them without their consent for the purposes of harvesting sperms? Almost every headline screamed “Women Rapists On The Loose.” But do you know what the Zimbabwean law says about rape and the procedures one should take reporting a rape case? By Michael Gwarisa According to Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, it is impossible for a woman to rape a…

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Women Pressure Groups Demand Commission of Inquiry On Magaya

Healthtimes

THE Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) wants a commission of inquiry to probe sexual abuse allegations levelled against Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries leader Prophet Walter Magaya. By Kudakwashe Pembere The organisation is a group of women pressure groups in the country.  WCoZ chairperson Ms Ronika Mumbire told journalists on Friday that the organisation was disturbed by a series of videos and images circulating on social media where the women who had initially reported violations withdrew their reports on the same platform. “”This raises questions around credibility of allegations, public…

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Army To Conduct Military Parades To Identify Rapist Soldiers

Healthtimes

ZIMBABWE National Army (ZDF) says it is willing to conduct public militarily parades to aid victims of the alleged rape violence by soldiers identify their assailants. Briefing the media, Major General Douglas Nyikayaramba said  the army was a disciplined unit and rape  was not tolerated and they take the allegations of rape by military personnel seriously. “The defense forces is taking is taking accusations of rape, murder and torture seriously The defense forces is a disciplined force and any form of abuse will never be tolerated. “We are willing to…

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