SITABILE Dewa, a Zimbabwean woman, found herself in a predicament after her divorce, realizing that her prospects for erotic pleasure were dishearteningly limited. In socially conservative Zimbabwe, divorced women and single mothers often face societal prejudice, making them undesirable partners in the eyes of men. Frustrated by the situation, Dewa made the decision to explore the use of sex toys. However, she encountered a significant obstacle—the possession and importation of sex toys are illegal in Zimbabwe.
Dewa, 35, voiced her concerns, saying, ‘I should not be deprived of self-exploration and indulgence in self-gratification.’ Zimbabwe’s ‘censorship and entertainments control’ law categorises sex toys as ‘indecent’ or ‘obscene’ and considers them harmful to public morals. Owning sex toys can lead to imprisonment.
In an effort to challenge this ‘archaic’ law, Dewa filed a lawsuit against the Zimbabwean government in March, seeking to repeal the relevant sections of the law. Her case, currently being reviewed by the court, argues that the law is repressive and infringes upon her freedom. Dewa’s bold and open discussion of masturbation and women’s sexuality has the potential to unsettle many Zimbabweans.
Women’s rights activists view Dewa’s crusade as significant in the broader context of challenging Zimbabwe’s patriarchal outlook. The country’s traditional mindset scrutinises and limits women’s choices in various aspects, including contraception, marriage, and even attire. Dewa herself is a women’s rights activist, drawing upon her personal experiences to take a stand against the ban on sex toys.
Proof of the law’s enforcement surfaced last year when two women were arrested for possession of sex toys. One of them, running an online business that sold sex aids to women and offered advice on their use, endured two weeks in detention and received a sentence of six years in jail or 640 hours of unpaid community work.
Debra Mwase, a programmes manager with Katswe Sistahood, a Zimbabwean women’s rights group, highlighted that what truly concerns the authorities regarding sex toys is the shift in focus away from men. Mwase stated, ‘Sexually liberated women frighten the men who dominate Zimbabwe’s political, social, and cultural spaces. Sex is not really seen as a thing for women. It is still framed as essential only for childbearing. Sex without a man becomes a threat.’
Dewa concisely sums up the issue, noting, ‘These laws would have been repealed a long time ago if the majority of users were men.’
Another aspect of significance is Zimbabwe’s history. Before the imposition of European laws, culture, and religion through colonialism, African women were known to be far more sexually expressive. However, colonialism and foreign religion emphasised the impurity and sin associated with women’s bodies, dampening their sexual freedom.
Mwase finds it ironic that Zimbabwe, having been independent and free from the oppression of white minority rule for 43 years, still retains laws like the one criminalising sex toys, remnants from colonial times. She stated, ‘African societies still vigorously enforce values and laws long ditched by those who brought them here. It is in Europe where women now freely wear less clothing and are sexually liberal, just like we were doing more than a century ago.’
Dewa’s campaign for access to sex toys aligns with the broader movement in Zimbabwe of women being ‘tired of oppression.’ It represents a forward-thinking perspective. However, a recent resurgence of a pre-colonial southern African tradition called ‘Chinamwari’
has also emerged. This tradition involves young women gathering for sex education sessions overseen by older women from their families or community. These sessions provide advice on foreplay, sexual positions, and sexual and reproductive health, potentially empowering young women.
In modern-day Zimbabwe, Chinamwari meetings are advertised on the internet. However, due to prevailing attitudes toward sex and resistance from some men uncomfortable with empowered women, they now come with guarantees of secrecy.
As Sitabile Dewa challenges Zimbabwe’s sex toy ban, her activism contributes to the broader fight against oppressive norms and the quest for women’s sexual liberation in the country. The outcome of her court case will have far-reaching implications for women’s rights and the recognition of their autonomy over their own bodies.
(with AP)