Angelah Nothando Mlotshwa
Environment and Health Reporter
Cases of sexual harassment and sexual abuse continue to dog communities at work, at schools, at home, supermarkets or even in public transport vehicles.
The Zimbabwe Courts of Law are ever handling cases of sexual abuse, sexual harassment and aggravated rape culminating from such abuses and harassment.
Minors, teenagers and adults continue to be sexually abused or harassed in one way or the other. While cases of such uncouth behaviour have been addressed in the courts many such cases go undetected and the perpetrators walk free because the victims are either not aware that they have been abused or harassed. Many more are afraid to report because the perpetrator is a boss or a very close relative.
At the peak of Covid-19, when the government of Zimbabwe banned any other transportation several videos and pictures of sexual abuses circulated on social media.
One that comes to mind is of a woman who was assisted to board a bus through the window. Those who were assisting her were seen to be pushing her by lifting her touching her breasts and her buttocks.
Another is of fully packed bus with a man whose member was erect and was rubbing against a woman who was standing in-front of the perpetrator.
A student whose identity cannot be revealed has started that his biology teacher goes way out if line when teaching about the reproductive system. The student said that the teacher uses sexual oriented sounds and tells students about caressing, kissing, wetness, which is, while related to the subject, will be not part of the lesson.
Sexual abuse is defined as any sexual activity that is undesired by one party but forced on them nonetheless, especially when considered to be more sustained or frequent than an incident of sexual assault whilst sexual harassment can be defined as the form of unwelcome sexual advances.
Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Bulawayo Province Press and Liasing Officer Inspector Abednico Ncube explained that sexual harassment is “about the harasser being hostile towards the victim or abusing power over the victim”.
Inspector Ncube continued to point out that being the target of unwelcome sexually suggestive or demanding comments, repeated and unwelcome requests for dates, offensive gestures, offensive touching, jokes or pranks, intimidating behaviours or pornographic materials
point to sexual harassment or abuse.
He further explained that Section 24 of the Zimbabwe Constitution protects against such abuses and also gives rights at the work place in light of this provision.
“Section 68 confers Labour Rights on every person and refers directly to the right to fair and safe practices and standards at work places. By its definition, an act of sexual harassment constitutes a violation of the constitutionally protected right to fair Labour standards and also violates the right to full and equal dignity”, said Insp. Ncube.
Labour Act (Chapter 28:01) realises the right to fair and safe Labour practices.
ZIM GBC NEWS sought input from experienced psychiatrist personnel Dr. Nemache Mawere who explained the effects of people who are abused and harassed and how it affects them.
“Usually they develop post traumatic stress disorders (and) has to deal with severe trauma which comes back as nightmares of flashbacks and is associated with anxiety…, someone becomes very jumpy sometimes they feel numb to pain. Border line personality disorders is another effect… they have this feeling of emptiness which sometimes lead to cutting, actions without thinking about the consequences and suicide”, said Dr. Mawere.
Most of these traumas are treated through therapy sessions in order for the victims to overcome such experiences. Without therapy many begin to isolate themselves or become suicidal.
It is, imperative therefore, that school children at their schools, employees at work places, maids at home, to be informed, educated or enlightened of pointers to sexual harassment and or sexual abuse. These should be nibbled in bud so that they do not degenerate into sexual assault and rape.
Once such unwanted activities are noticed the victim must report the perpetrator to the relevant authorities without wasting much time.