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Domestic Violence Bill should be passed into law
Rhoda Mashavave
October 16, 2006

http://www.zimbabwejournalists.com/story.php?art_id=1162&cat=4

EARLY this year I wrote an article supporting the Domestic Violence Bill which is before the Zimbabwean parliament. For months I have been following the drama surrounding the Bill. My heart still pains when I read stories of how some men are opposing the Bill.

This reminds me of the sexist comments made by "honourable" Member of Parliament who represents Mabvuku, Timothy Mubhawu.

Last week in the Zimbabwean Parliament Mubhawu said: "I stand here representing God Almighty. Women are not equal to men. It is a dangerous Bill and let it be known in Zimbabwe that the right, privilege and status of men are gone. I stand here alone and say this bill should not be passed in this House. It is diabolic Bill. Our powers are being usurped in daylight in this House."

For the past days I have wondered who Mubhawu's Almighty God is.

Mubhawu should bear this in mind; he got in that Parliament because women voted for him. Women constitute 52 percent of the 12, 9 million populations in Zimbabwe. He should not just dismiss women needs just because he is a man protecting his territory.

The Domestic Violence Bill is a serious issue; this Bill if passed into law will protect his wife, sisters, aunts and children.

Mubhawu should not turn a blind eye on domestic violence.

He should open his eyes and see what domestic violence has done in some families. Most of the times children and women suffer the most as families are torn apart. Now is the time to call a spade a spade. Time is running out for men who abuse women.

Yes, its true men and women will never be equal, especially physically.

God created us differently but we are equal in His eyes. Why should men put words into God’s mouth and claim to represent Him.

I should applaud all those women who united last week and demonstrated against Mubhawu´s comments. Thank you mothers and sisters for setting your differences aside.

We may have different opinions in our everyday life but violence against women is beyond colour, political affiliation etc.

Mubhawu should think carefully before he gives his contributions in Parliament. The Domestic Violence Bill should be passed in Parliament as soon as possible. We want action not words and promises.

Personally I am tired of reading the statistics of women and men who have died in the hands of their beloved ones. We no longer have got aunts, vanatete who could diffuse the differences between husbands and wives because of the busy lives we live today.

I hope Mubhawu will see the light soon. He needs to be saved from treating women as door mats. Women are special and they were not created to be punching bags. For now I will keep my fingers crossed praying for the Bill to be passed in the Zimbabwean Parliament.

If the Bill is passed it will make the domestic violence a crime and it will cover areas like psychological abuse, intimidation and stalking. Cultural practices like virginity testing, female genital mutilation, wife inheritance and the custom of offering girls as compensatory payment in interfamily disputes will become criminal.

It will be a turning point for many Zimbabwean women who have suffered silently from domestic violence as the law will protect them. Right now women are suffering miserably without protection as domestic violence is still dismissed by police who treat it as common assault. We need action and the time is now.

Tough luck Mubhawu and his arrogant male colleagues who cannot stand to see women being empowered to stand up against their constant bullying and harassment. Fight on the women of Zimbabwe. Aluta Continua!!!

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