Sitabile Dewa, a divorced woman in Zimbabwe has kicked against the ban of sex toys. According to Sitabile Dewa, she was satisfied with her sex life during her marriage, but after her divorce, she discovered that her prospects for sexual pleasure were quite bleak.
In socially conservative Zimbabwe, divorced women and single mothers are often viewed as undesirable partners for men. Frustrated by this, Dewa made the decision to explore the use of sex toys.
The problem is that sex toys are illegal in Zimbabwe.
“I should not be denied the opportunity for self-exploration and self-gratification,” stated Dewa, 35.
According to Zimbabwe’s “censorship and entertainment control” law, the importation or possession of sex toys is deemed “indecent” or “obscene” and is considered harmful to public morals. A woman can be imprisoned for owning sex toys.
Dewa believes the law is “outdated” and is challenging certain aspects of it in court, arguing that it is repressive and infringes upon her freedom. In March, she filed a lawsuit against the Zimbabwe government, seeking the repeal of certain provisions of the law. The court is currently reviewing her case.
Her candid discussions about masturbation and women’s sexuality are likely to make many Zimbabweans uncomfortable.
However, women’s rights advocates consider her campaign to be significant, as it forms part of a larger effort to challenge the patriarchal mindset prevalent in the country. In Zimbabwe, women’s choices on various issues that affect them and their bodies, such as contraception, marriage, and even clothing, are scrutinized and often restricted.
Dewa is herself an activist for women’s rights and draws upon her own life experiences in her fight against the sex toy ban.
Proof of the active enforcement of the law came to light last year when two women were arrested for possessing sex toys.
One of them ran an online business that sold sex aids to women and provided advice on their usage. She spent two weeks in detention and was given the choice between six years in jail or 640 hours of unpaid community work.
Debra Mwase, a programs manager at Katswe Sistahood, a Zimbabwean group advocating for women’s rights, claims that what irks authorities the most regarding the sex toy issue is the sidelining of men. Sexually liberated women intimidate the men who dominate Zimbabwe’s political, social, and cultural spheres.
“Sex is not perceived as something for women,” stated Mwase. “Sex is seen as solely for men’s enjoyment. For women, it is still seen as essential only for childbearing.”
“Sex without a man becomes a threat,” she added.
Dewa simplifies the issue by stating, “These laws would have been repealed a long time ago if the majority of users were men.”
Zimbabwe’s history also plays a significant role. Studies have shown that prior to the imposition of European laws, culture, and religion, African women in sub-Saharan Africa were more sexually expressive.
Sylvia Ramale, a prominent Ugandan academic, wrote in the introduction to a book she edited titled “African Sexualities” that pre-colonial African women were “relatively unrestrained” when it came to their sexuality. They even wore revealing clothing, according to Ramale.
However, colonialism and the foreign religion it brought with it emphasized the impurity and sin associated with women’s bodies, Ramale explained.
Mwase finds it ironic that Zimbabwe, which has been independent and free from colonial oppression for 43 years, still maintains laws like the one prohibiting sex toys, which is a relic from the colonial era.
“African societies still vigorously enforce values and laws that were long abandoned by those who introduced them here. It is in Europe where women now freely wear less clothing and have sexual freedom, just as we were doing more than a century ago,” Mwase remarked.
Dewa’s advocacy for access to sex toys aligns with the larger struggle of Zimbabwean women against oppression. It is a forward-thinking initiative that sheds light on the prevailing issues. However, there has also been a recent resurgence of a pre-colonial southern African tradition known as “Chinamwari,” which is worth noting.
Chinamwari involves young women gathering for sex education sessions led by older women from their families or communities. These sessions provide advice on various aspects of sexuality, including foreplay, sexual positions, and sexual and reproductive health. While Chinamwari has gained a reputation for its risqué nature, it has the potential to empower young women.
In modern-day Zimbabwe, Chinamwari meetings are advertised on the internet, but they are shrouded in secrecy due to prevailing attitudes towards sex and the resistance from some men uncomfortable with women being knowledgeable in this area.
Sitabile Dewa’s fight against the ban on sex toys highlights the broader issues of women’s rights and patriarchy in Zimbabwe. Her brave campaign challenges outdated laws and societal norms, aiming for greater sexual liberation and empowerment for women. It serves as a reminder that Zimbabwe, despite its independence, still grapples with the remnants of colonial influences.