BUHERA - The Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) this week clashed with the members of Johane Marange Apostolic sect over the child abuse cases believed to be rampant in the popular religious group.
The clash emanated at an awareness meeting held at Zireva primary school. An official from ZWLA, Patience Revai, urged villagers to be conscious of the laws that protect women and children. Times have changed. It is no longer acceptable to view women as second-class citizens, Revai said. However, the statements were seen as controversial by men from the Johane Marange sect who openly criticized such campaigns as unholy. At the meeting, the apostolic sect came out with heated arguments accusing ZWLA of trying to destroy their family ties and the social fabric by teaching anti-biblical messages.
As community and church leaders from the mapositori sect we do not accept that at all. How can we (men) be equal with women? It is there in the bible that women will always be under men, said a member of the sect only identified as Madzibaba Pauro. The church members verbally attacked the organization. Tempers flared when ZWLA threatened legal action against the religious sect over the alleged abuses of children and women in the community in the sect. Children and women within the Johane Marange Apostolic sect are not allowed to go to the hospital to seek medication, and in some cases the girls are not allowed to go to school.
It is also reported that the girl child within the same sect is forced into marriage below the age of consent. Little girls are also forced into polygamous marriage. Chief Nyashanu, who attended the meeting, took a swipe at those who abused children and women in the community. Those who abuse women should be punished and the courts should pass sentences to deter potential offenders. Women are human beings who have rights that must also be respect, Chief Nyashanu said.
He added that the community should support womens empowerment programmes. The meeting was meant to increase awareness and campaign against women and child abuse in Buhera district. ZWLA also took the opportunity to explain to villagers the legal provisions of the Child Guardianship and Custody Act, the Domestic Violence Act and women and child related constitutional provisions.
Post published in: News