“Domestic Violence Act and the apartheid of gender”: a critical analysis of the perceptions of Christian women in Masvingo province of Zimbabwe.

Abstract

The article critically analyses the perceptions of Christian women in Masvingo Province on the Domestic Violence Act enacted by the Government of Zimbabwe in 2007 following a steep rise in the cases of domestic violence. It is quite sadistic to note in this article that women, all over the world, find great difficulties in articulating their own oppression. Domestic violence is a general concept which encompasses ill-treatment of men, children, the disabled, and many more but this article is an appraisal of a new world order that should oppose the apartheid of gender through the proper implementation of the Domestic Violence Act. The study reveals that the act creates a more equitable, peaceful and co-operative world to eliminate all forms of domestic violence. Those who indicated lack of confidence in the Act argued that it is contrary to the teaching of the Church. Overally, the study will further reveal that the Act is an important piece of legislation as it complements the efforts of the growing number of women's organisations that are involved in the fight against their subordination in the whole world in general and Zimbabwe in particular. The marginalisation of other variables prone to violence are not of particular interest here. Women are more vulnerable than men in the same circumstances. It is demonstrated in this research that women face serious obstacles to development because of social and cultural discrimination against them on grounds of sex. The article therefore recommends to feminist academics, political activists, resource centres, women's groups, gender and development agencies, and policy makers to raise awareness of the importance of this useful piece of legislation, the Domestic Violence Act in entitling women to key resources such as land and employment. This Act confronts the socio-cultural and ideological roadblocks to women's empowerment and develops a positive action.