Women’s rights activist group pushes for Sexual Harassment Bill

Women’s rights activist to group pushes for Sexual Harassment Bill

By Letwin Mubonesi

Women’s Academy for Learning and Political Excellence (WALPE) has urged government to craft a law on sexual harassment to ensure stiff penalties on perpetrators to effectively deal with the vice.

This came out after Women’s Academy for Learning and Political Excellence and Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Labour, and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs met to discuss issues of sexual harassment against women.

WALPE director, Sitabile Dewa said that one of the pivotal Bills during the new Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament should be a Sexual Harassment Bill adding that such a law has not yet been crafted yet women are being sexually harassed day in and out.

“Whereas the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for gender equality including women’s freedoms and full participation in political, social, economic and cultural life, the country lacks a standalone sexual harassment law to protect women in public and private spaces.

“The government must make it mandatory for political parties to also craft sexual harassment policies to protect women politicians.

“Females must be groomed for public office to enable them to boost their confidence and, therefore, sexual harassment policies within political parties will assist to increase the number of women participating in politics and other sectors of the economy.

“Crafting of a stand-alone Sexual Harassment Bill will ensure that sexual offenders are punished, and that victims are protected. It will go a long way in increasing the participation of women in politics. Once the Bill is passed into law, it will be a major stepping stone for the effective participation of women and girls in leadership and decision-making processes,” she said.

There is an increase in cases of sexual harassment in the country, even among MPs, councilors, voters, at bus termini, churches and water points among several other places in the country.

Mutare West legislator, Percy Teedzai Muchimwe said the Sexual Harassment Bill should be pushed through Parliament during the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament.

Muchimwe said, “There is no one else other than ourselves that can push the Bill to make sure that by the end of our term it will be an Act which will minimise sexual harassment cases. The education curriculum must also include lessons on sexual harassment.”

Headlands MP Christopher Chingosho also supported the notion and that the Bill should be pushed so as to protect those vulnerable to sexual harassment and perpetrators be brought to book.

“As of now there is no progress on the Sexual Harassment Bill. MPs that are gathered here should encourage other MPs to support the Bill when it comes before Parliament so that it is passed into law,” Chingosho said.