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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Index of articles surrounding the debate of the Domestic Violence Bill
SAHRIT
statement on the Zimbabwe Domestic Violence Bill
Human
Rights Trust of Southern Africa (SAHRIT)
October 20, 2006
The Human Rights
Trust of Southern Africa (SAHRIT) notes with dismay and strongly
condemns comments by the Mabvuku Member of Parliament, the Honourable
Timothy Mubawu about the Domestic
Violence Bill made in the Parliament of Zimbabwe recently. The
comments made by the honourable Member of Parliament to the effect
that the Domestic Violence Bill was ‘diabolic and that it is a dangerous
bill’ will negatively impact on the rights of women and children,
who are the major victims of domestic violence in Zimbabwe. Members
of Parliament have an obligation to the people of Zimbabwe and their
constituents to act and speak in a manner respectful of human rights
and any statement implying the inferiority of women is unacceptable
from an elected Member of Parliament.
The comments by
the MP are also retrogressive to the fight against discrimination
of all forms as enunciated in the Convention on the Elimination
of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) which Zimbabwe
ratified with no reservations. Article 1 of CEDAW states that discrimination
against women shall mean any distinction, exclusion, or restriction
made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing
or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective
of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women,
of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic,
social, cultural, civil or any other. The domestic violence Bill
is a laudable attempt by the government to honour its international
obligations by domesticating the provisions of this convention and
similar ones to which Zimbabwe is party to. This effort should be
applauded and efforts should be made to ensure that the Bill is
passed.
The Domestic Violence
Bill in its current state does not in any way usurp powers of the
freedom of religion as Mr. Mubawu would suggest. It simply seeks
to provide for the protection and relief to victims of domestic
violence. Domestic violence for the purposes of the Bill means any
unlawful act, omission or behaviour which results in death or the
direct infliction of physical, sexual, or mental injury to any complainant
that is both men and women and includes physical abuse, sexual abuse,
emotion, verbal and psychological abuse, economic, intimidation,
harassment, stalking and damage to property. SAHRIT therefore commends
the efforts made by all stakeholders involved in the process of
drafting the bill and raising awareness on its contents in an effort
to improve the lives of those involved in situations of domestic
violence- both men and women.
Visit the SAHRIT fact
sheet
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