This is despite the inclusion of a human rights curriculum in the syllabus for police recruits. The reality on the ground is that most police officers are ignorant of human rights and how to effectively assist those whose rights have been violated, says MDC-T Bulawayo East MP Tabitha Khumalo.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe in partnership with the UNWOMEN last week Khumalo, accused police of being judgemental when dealing with gender based violence.
She called for more deterrent sentences for perpetrators of GBV, saying “there is need for the judiciary to ensure that people who commit such crimes get harsh and stiffer sentences.”
“If those who commit such crimes get deterrent sentences, cases of GBV, especially rape cases, will be reduced because men will know that if they commit such crime, they will languish in prison for the rest of their lives,” said Khumalo.
She said it was a woman’s right to dress as she pleased and society should accept the diversity in dress code exhibited by Zimbabwean women.
“No one should judge me as a woman because my body is like my constitution, which I have a right to market for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote, but which should be respected under whatever circumstances,” said Khumalo
The chairperson of Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe, Virginia Muwanigwa, said there was need for concerted effort from all the stakeholders to ensure prevention of GBV. She said it was tragic that in so many cases, family members conspired to conceal “horrendous acts”.
“Some families even negotiate with rapists for out-of-court settlement. More resources should be allocated to the prevention of GBV. The law enforcement agents have no resources to implement the law and there is need to address this anomaly,” she said.
Post published in: News