Human Rights Vs. Culture: The Plight Of Young Women Concerning Sororate Marriage In Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

The position of the woman and the girl child has for a long time been uncertain in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) IN 19911 and the Convention on the rights of the Child (CRC) as well as the regional counterparts of these instruments. In 2013, the nation adopted a Constitution Amendment (No.20) Act 2013 (the Constitution), which makes specific mention of women‟s rights and children‟s rights2. Several pieces of legislation are also structured towards the realisation of women‟s and children‟s rights. As the target group the rights of young women fall within the ambit of these laws and statutes. However despite all this, the situation of young women and their rights has not improved much in the country. The reason is an entrenched patriarchal culture that has for so long perpetuated certain practises that disregard women as equals and promote male dominance.

There are a lot of harmful beliefs and behaviours which have anchored themselves deep in culture with a view to keep women in submission, catering to the pleasure and sometimes economic strategies of men and their communities. It is trite to mention the need for a change in cultural perspective so as to acknowledge, accommodate and enhance gender equality and ultimately young women‟s rights as human beings.