Angelah Nothando Mlotshwa
The Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (WALPE) has called for the repealing of the Customs and Excise Act which prohibits the importation of sex toys (dildos and dolls) saying the law violates women’s rights to sexual enjoyment and pleasure.
“The WALPE executive director Dewa is approaching the courts to challenge Section 47(1)b of the Customs and Excise Act which prohibits the importation of any goods which are indecent, obscene, or objectionable”, reads part of the statement
“WALPE Executive Director Sitabile (SIC) Dewa is approaching the courts and challenging Section 47(1)b of the Customs and Excise Act which criminalizes the importation of goods such as sex toys. She argues that the section which is archaic and draconian, infringes on women’s right”, reads WALPE tweet.
“If she wants to use sex toys let her be someone who is not married. If it satisfies her, its her body, let her be”, said one Bulawayo resident Joseph Ncube.
He added that,
“If she sees that a man is not enough, she should leave him first, find another one. If he fails again then she may use these toys to her own satisfaction.”
Dewa is being represented by human rights lawyer Jeremiah Bamu of Mbidzo Muchadehama and Makoni Legal Practitioners.
Currently, one Unity Ayanda Muponda is in the dock for selling sex toys. She faces upto 24 months in prison with 6 months suspended for not committing the same offense.
“For a woman to use a sex toy, its pure Satanism! Why would she?”, said one Bulawayo resident Michael Sibanda
“The right of a woman to make autonomous decisions about her own body and reproductive functions is at the core of her basic rights to equality, privacy, and bodily integrity #HerBodyHerRules”, WALPE tweeted.