Rural women demand dignity

Lazarus Sauti

Manyame – Violence against women is one of the most blatant violations of human rights in Zimbabwe.

Women from all backgrounds, ages and socio-economic status have experienced violence perpetrated by men in both their private and public lives, especially in rural areas.

This violence against women takes many forms such as physical and emotional as well as the violence of poverty, starvation, humiliation and degradation.

Poverty, inequality and unemployment are also conditions under which violence against women thrives.

Nomatter Munyukwi, 32, from Tsunga Ward 17 in Manyame, Beatrice has a sad story as she experienced all forms of violence: physical, economic and emotional, from her step mother, husband and the society at large.

Narrating her ordeal during the 16 days Commemorations held at Mupfure Centre in Manyame, Beatrice recently, Munyukwi said the abuse she received from her step mother forced her into an early marriage.

“Living with my step mother was like hell. She abused me, forcing me to do all house chores before leaving for school. As a result, I was forced to flee away from her,” she explained.

Munyukwi added: “Poverty and abuse pushed me to marry at the age of 14. I was young, very young, and this limited my options in life.”

Sadly, she added, early marriage was not a bed of roses as my husband continued where my step mother left.

In fact, it was like jumping from frying pan into the fire and the society blamed me for everything.

“My assumption was that marriage was going to provide me with the paradise, the sanctuary I so wished for. I was wrong as my marriage was not an escape as I imagined.

“It was like hell at another level. My husband abused me. He hailed all sorts of insults at me. He also refused to work and I relied on menial jobs to sustain my family,” she said.

To make matters worse, Munyukwi said, my husband was in the habit of taking all the monies I toiled and sweated for to squander it with sex workers.

“Murume wangu aihura. Ndaiita maricho iye ouya achitota hake mari yangu achienda nayo kunodya nevamwe vasikana,” she said, adding: “my husband also used his power to physically and sexually violate me.

Although Munyukwi’s husband is dead now, she is still living with a heavy heart as violence against women is on the increase.

“My heart bleeds for women and young girls who are violated everyday here in Manyame. For example, due to poverty and other useless reasons, most young girls are forced to marry against their wishes. This is abuse at its best,” she said.

Further, Munyukwi said violence against women is on the rise because it is still seen as a private matter.

“It is very difficult for women to report any form of violence as we are made to believe that the man is the head of the household and as such we must obey our husbands at all times, even if they are violating our basic human rights,” she said.

She also said women are also human beings, and as such, they deserve dignity not punches.

“We are all equal before God. We don’t need violence, but space to grow, to be ourselves and to exercise our diversity.

“Hana yako ngairove pese paunenge wafunga kuitira umwe munhu utsinye (Your heart should beat whenever you think of abusing another person).

“This is so because we need dignity and truth be told, dignity does not come from violence, but from taking responsibility, respecting each other as well as advancing our common humanity,” Munyukwi said.

Touched by Munyukwi’s testimony and sharing her views, Rennie Chiwela, a pastor with the United Ambassadors and Disciples Ministry, Mupfure congregation, adds that addressing violence against women enables society to live a life of normality, of freedom and dignity.

“Dignity is all about love and respect; accordingly, society must avoid all forms of violence against women, but show love and respect,’’ she said.

Sharon Chipunza, lobby and advocacy officer for Women and Land in Zimbabwe says when society violates women and deny them their own human dignity and capacity for freedom and choice, it becomes a denial of both our collective as well as individual dignity.

She therefore says that to promote human dignity at all levels of society, peace should be promoted in homes for it to spread in the world.

“Like charity which begins at home, peace should be in our homes for it to spread into the world,” she said, adding that one fire-proof way of dignifying women is to make education safe and free for everyone.

“American actor Edward James Olmos once said that education is the vaccine for violence. Thus, to end all forms of violence against women, we must make education safe and free for all,” she added.

Vice chairperson for Women and Land in Zimbabwe, Emilia Hatendi, says cultural and traditional practices in most, if not all, rural areas are promoting violence against women.

As such, she urged the government to eradicate all harmful practices that are hindering the development of women and stalling socio-economic growth in the country.

“Cultural practices are fueling violence against women. If the country is to achieve its developmental goals, the government should therefore work with relevant stakeholders to remove all practices that are not only harmful to women, but stalling economic transformation” she said.

However, village 12 head, Musafare Shayachimwe, says despite challenges affecting their bid to curb violence against women, they are doing their best to protect women.

“As leaders, we are using our influence to engage men and boys and actively discourage abusive behaviour despite facing different challenges such as network problems.

Tendai Utaumire, the acting District Development Officer for Seke rural district says as society, we are our brothers’ keepers, therefore, people should report all forms of violence against women.

“We should encourage silent female victims to talk about abuse and ensure that they get help,” he said, urging women to deal with the police as it is the only way they can enjoy their human dignity.

“Our police force is there to protect you not to harass you. Do not be afraid to report your cases to the nearest station,” Utaumire said.

Sharing the same views with Utaumire, Sergeant Portia Masasa from Beatrice Police Station says the Victim Friendly Unit is there for the good of society.

“Our Victim Friendly Unite is there to promote human dignity. All victims of violence, especially domestic violence should not be afraid to report to their nearest police station,” she said, urging women not to surrender their dignity.

“Your dignity may be assaulted and/or vandalised, but never allow it to be taken away. Never surrender it too,” she summed up.