SEXUAL violence, especially against women and children, is an issue that demands urgent global attention.
Despite strides in women's rights and child protection, the pervasive nature of this violation persists across all societal strata.
Globally, the numbers are staggering, and Zimbabwe is no exception. This calls for a reflection on the magnitude of the issue, providing global statistics and narrowing down to Zimbabwean realities, offering practical solutions to combat this crisis.
A global crisis
The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) reported that as of 2024, more than 370 million women and girls globally have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18.
This translates to about one in eight women, underscoring the widespread prevalence of such violence.
When non-contact forms of abuse, such as verbal or online harassment, are included, the number rises to 650 million girls and women, or one in five.
Sexual violence cuts across geographical, cultural, and economic boundaries, affecting millions in sub-Saharan Africa, where the problem is particularly pronounced.
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In fact, 79 million women and girls in this region have experienced some form of sexual violence, making it a global hotspot for this violation.
Conflict zones exacerbate the issue, where rape is often used as a weapon of war. In such fragile settings, over one in four girls have experienced sexual violence, with perpetrators often being known and trusted by the victims.
The trauma inflicted by these experiences often stays with survivors throughout their lives, increasing their vulnerability to mental health issues, social isolation, and a host of physical ailments, including sexually transmitted infections.
Zimbabwe's grim reality
Sexual violence in Zimbabwe mirrors global trends but is compounded by socio-economic challenges, cultural norms, and institutional weaknesses.
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat) reports that one in three women in the country has experienced some form of gender-based violence, with 22% reporting sexual violence.
In 2021, the Zimbabwe Republic Police recorded 2 162 cases of rape, with children accounting for the majority of victims.
In provinces like Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland South, the situation is particularly dire, where cultural practices, such as child marriage, exacerbate the problem.
Zimbabwe has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with about 32% of girls married before the age of 18, often to much older men.
This practice leaves young girls vulnerable to sexual violence, reinforcing cycles of abuse and poverty.
According to Unicef, child marriage is a key driver of sexual violence in Zimbabwe. Girls in rural areas, especially in districts like Hurungwe and Mbire, are more likely to fall victim to such violence due to poverty and limited access to education.
The economic dependence on male counterparts and societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles create environments where girls and women are unable to escape abusive situations.
Although national statistics paint a grim picture, the issue becomes even more pressing when broken down by province and district.
In Harare, the capital city, cases of sexual violence have surged, particularly during periods of political instability and economic hardship.
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission reported that between 2020 and 2023, cases of sexual violence in Harare increased by 40%, with many of these incidents occurring in densely populated areas such as Mbare and Epworth.
In rural areas, data from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender, and Community Development shows that districts like Chiredzi and Mutoko are hotspots for sexual violence, particularly against young girls.
Here, traditional beliefs and gender inequality often prevent victims from seeking justice, as perpetrators are frequently protected by community leaders or family members.
Steps towards change
Despite the overwhelming data, there is hope. Combating sexual violence requires a multifaceted approach, combining legal reforms, cultural change, and community-driven solutions.
Below are some actionable steps that Zimbabwe can take to address this crisis:
Strengthening legal frameworks: Zimbabwe has made progress in this regard, but there is room for improvement. Laws such as the Domestic Violence Act of 2007 and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act must be strengthened to ensure harsher penalties for perpetrators of sexual violence. The legal system should also be made more accessible to survivors, with a focus on protecting victims throughout the judicial process.
Community-based interventions: Engaging local communities, particularly in rural areas, is key to changing harmful cultural norms. Traditional leaders and local councils must be involved in sensitisation campaigns aimed at eliminating practices like child marriage and encouraging girls to pursue education. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like the Musasa Project have already made significant strides in this regard by providing safe spaces for survivors of sexual violence and offering counselling services.
Educational reform: One of the most effective ways to minimise sexual violence is through education. Comprehensive sex education should be implemented in schools to teach children about their rights, consent, and how to report abuse. This approach has been successful in countries like Uganda, where reported cases of child sexual abuse have decreased following the introduction of such programmes.
Economic empowerment of women: Poverty is one of the main drivers of sexual violence, especially in rural areas. Empowering women economically through access to micro-financing, vocational training, and land ownership will reduce their dependence on men and give them the tools to escape abusive situations.
Improving data collection: The true scale of sexual violence in Zimbabwe is likely much higher than reported due to underreporting and data gaps. The government, in collaboration with international organisations like Unicef, should invest in better data collection methods, particularly at the provincial and district levels. This will enable more targeted interventions and provide a clearer picture of the issue.
Support for survivors: More resources should be allocated to providing psychological support and medical care for survivors of sexual violence. Organisations like Childline Zimbabwe have been instrumental in offering counselling services, but they are often underfunded and understaffed. The government must prioritise funding for such organisations and ensure that survivors have access to the help they need to heal.
Conclusion
Sexual violence against women and children is a grave violation of human rights that leaves lasting scars on individuals and communities.
In Zimbabwe, the crisis is exacerbated by cultural norms, poverty, and institutional weaknesses. However, with concerted efforts from the government, civil society, and communities, the cycle of violence can be broken.
The time to act is now, before more women and children are robbed of their dignity and future.
Through legal reforms, education, community engagement, and economic empowerment, Zimbabwe can build a society where every individual is safe from sexual violence.
It is up to all conscientious citizens to drive this change, ensuring that the next generation can grow up free from the fear of sexual abuse.
Dzingai is an active social scientist, who is deeply committed to fostering resilient communities. — shdzingai23@gmail.com. These weekly New Horizon articles, published in the Zimbabwe Independent, are coordinated by Lovemore Kadenge, an independent consultant, managing consultant of Zawale Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, past president of the Zimbabwe Economics Society and past president of the Chartered Governance & Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe (CGI Zimbabwe). — kadenge.zes@gmail.com or mobile: +263 772 382 852.
