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Condemnation of indecent pictures of women in the media
Women's Coalition
July 19, 2007

The Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe would like to express their gravest concern over the current images that are appearing in both our print and electronic media. There now appears to be a tendency to print and show images that are humiliating and degrading towards women in particular. We rely on our media to provide us with information, education, and entertainment that uphold the dignity and respect of all our people and are suitable for the whole family to view.

We felt that the front page in uMthunywa of 16-12 July 2007 where a young lady was pictured wearing a mini-skirt and was being ridiculed by the public who were threatening to strip her naked while one man had his hand under her skirt was in bad taste and unacceptable because it was a violation of that young lady's rights. It was a total lack of respect for women.

Further on the 17th , 18th , and 19th of July 2007 the Chronicle and the National Broadcaster have shown pictures of naked women engaging in sexual acts. Little effort was made to sensor the images to, at least, preserve a modicum of dignity for the people concerned.

We feel this threatens our values and culture as a people, as our children are exposed to images that we consider inappropriate and this is offensive to all right thinking Zimbabweans. We wish our media would be geared towards objective reporting that upholds our family values and the respect of women as mothers of the nation and shows sensitivity of their feelings and status in society.

We believe that women's dignity should be preserved regardless of whether or not the question of fault is raised.

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