Neigbours help woman get justice

MARONDERA- A Marondera woman recently narrated her ordeal shedding light on how the
community saved her from her abusive husband who had unjustly evicted her from their
matrimonial home.
The gender based violence survivor who did not want to be named opened up on how she was
physically and emotionally abused by her husband of 22 years who desired a new spouse. She was
ousted from her house in 2018 and forced to leave her children behind. She returned to her
maternal home without a fight.
‘’My neighbours called the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Musasa without my consent and
knowledge. Women’s Affairs called mr when I was at my parents’ home inquiring about my ordeal
and I lied that all was well,’’ she narrated adding that she did so to protect her reputation and avoid
the stigmatisation that comes with abuse.
It was only after women affairs had explained how she had been wrongly treated and that they
could help her did she open up to them. They told her that if she pressed charges, her husband could
go to jail.
The husband was contacted and fearing the consequences of his actions, he welcomed her back
home.
‘’From 2018 to 2019 I lived a ‘abaiwa ngaabude’ kind of life. I voluntarily left when I reached the
maximum point and contemplating suicide.’’
She narrated how her relatives had washed their hands off her case.
The survivor had been renting alternative accommodation for seven months when Women’s Affairs
contacted and advised her to make a police report.
‘’Whenever I tried to process the papers, my husband would conduct a follow up and come up with
counter strategies. It’s not that women do not know where to report but their abusers have some
officials in their pockets which becomes making it difficult for us to continue fighting.”
Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) and Women Affairs stepped in and arranged for fair
property sharing. They fought on her behalf and she got her 50 percent share of their property.
The survivor reiterated on how the community went to great lengths to fight for her even though
she had refrained from crying to any of them. She also applauded her neighbours and urged women
to be each others keeper.