The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) says the government should regulate churches to combat sexual offences against girls within some religious sects.
ZGC chairperson Margaret Sangarwe-Mukahanana on Tuesday told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200004651/regulate-churches-zgc-urges-govt">NewsDay</a> that although churches are currently voluntary organisations that are not regulated, there is a need for authorities to intervene to end the sexual abuse of minors. She said:
<blockquote>
Churches are voluntary organisations and they are unregulated. There is no code of conduct which governs them, and it is difficult to monitor sexual offences at churches lest we are told that we are infringing on the fundamental rights of worship and association.
However, if we want to arrest the scourge of child marriages and sexual offences, there should be at least some regulations that govern churches.
</blockquote>
Sexual offences at religious places such as Apostolic faith sect shrines and churches have been on the rise over the years.
Under the new Marriages Act, the minimum age of marriage is 18 years for both girls and boys. It is, therefore, a crime to marry off a child and anyone involved in that will be prosecuted.
According to a 2019 survey by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, 33% of women reported that they were married before reaching the adult age of 18.

Pindula News

Gender Commission Urges Govt To Regulate Churches

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has commenced investigations into alleged sexual harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation of women in football.
This comes after the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) board led by Felton Kamambo on a litany of allegations including failure to investigate the allegations of sexual abuse of female referees.
SRC chairperson Gerald Mlotshwa on Thursday told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Sport that since the suspension of the ZIFA board on 16 November 2021, the commission has discovered more cases of sexual harassment against female referees. He said:
<blockquote>
Initially, we had three complaints of sexual harassment but investigations revealed that sexual harassment was insidious. There was sex for games. Sleep with me and I will give you a game.
</blockquote>
ZGC chairperson Commissioner Margaret Sangarwe-Mukahanana commended the women who were brave enough to open up on sexual abuse and harassment in the football sector considering that such issues involve stigmatisation and intimidation. Said Sangarwe-Mukahanana:
<blockquote>
The complaints indicate the prevalence of endemic discrimination and dehumanisation of women within the football refereeing and the entire football sector as emanating from the fact that for years, the sector has been an enclave of men with limited participation of women.
The facts indicate the prevalence of gender rights violations like sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and extortion in form of sex for selection, such conduct hinders female participation and performance in sports.
</blockquote>
She appealed to members of the public with information or complaints of sexual harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation within the football structures to make submissions to the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/gender-commission-probes-zifa-sexual-abuse-scandal/">The Herald</a></h4>

ZGC Latest News

Latest Jobs