a scene from the PSEAH theatre performance
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
It is everyone’s duty to ensure that sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment is prevented at all costs, so as to create a safer and just society for all.
The call was made by Population Solutions for Health (PSH) Executive Director, Dr Noah Taruberekera, on Monday night at Alliance Francaise, during the theatre performance on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH).
The theatre performance which was organised by PSH with support from the Swiss Embassy, addresses sexual misconduct by raising awareness of sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment.
It also promotes dialogue through interactive scenarios.
“Prevention of SEAH is however everyone of us’s business, we must speak out if we witness sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment.
“We must encourage survivors to share their experiences as well as protect them.
“We should actively challenge harmful attitudes and behaviors while advocating for policies and laws that protect and empower individuals.
“Together, we can create a Zimbabwe where everyone lives free from fear, abuse, and exploitation.
“A Zimbabwe where dignity where respect and justice prevail.
“Let us unite against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment to build a safer, more just society for all,” said Dr Taruberekera.
He also revealed that SEAH is a crucial issue that impacts everyone in our organisations, both as supervisors and as peers.
“It also affects communities we serve when staff from donor-funded organisations misuse their power by demanding sexual favors for services.
“We all know and have heard of instances where staff members request sexual favours for a job to community health workers for instance.
“This is also in our homes, where a father may abuse the maid, or a brother-in-law takes advantage of younger sisters-in-law who look up to them for support, chiramu gone bad.
“The SEAH abuse is even present during kombi rides, where drivers and conductors often verbally harass women and girls.”
Dr Taruberekera also revealed that the intervention is both timely and essential for raising awareness about SEAH issues.
He added that the PSEAH programme also aligns with their ongoing initiatives on gender-based violence (GBV) through the Love Shouldn’t Hurt campaign and Anti-Child Marriages campaign.
“We are grateful to the Embassy of Switzerland for providing us the opportunity to advance our critical work on sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH), which strongly resonates with our organizational values.
“At PSH, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding SEAH within our organization and the communities we serve.
“We have implemented a Safeguarding Policy to prevent SEAH in the workplace and to protect those in our care. “This theatre performance will further strengthen our response on these vital issues.
“The theatre performance is a unique method for raising awareness and sharing information, as it is interactive, engaging, and evokes strong thoughts and emotions.”
Dr Taruberekera also revealed that additional shows are planned in six other districts: Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Bindura, Chinhoyi and Lupane.
“However, this is only a small part of what is needed. “There is a significant demand for this SEAH theatre performance among both civil society organizations and the private sector.
“After last week’s performance, many organizations have reached out to us, requesting similar performances for their groups.
“We hope that the Swiss Embassy can find ways to continue supporting this important initiative enabling it to expand beyond the planned districts.”
Richard Nyamanhindi, the Communications Officer at the Swiss Embassy said the performance brought critical issues closer to home by using the Zimbabwean contexts, making it both relevant and impactful.
“In Zimbabwe, we are all too familiar with the challenges of exploitation and harassment, especially in workplaces, communities, and institutions.
“By localizing PSEAH, we aim to address these issues in a way that resonates with our people and our culture.
“This performance sheds light on the often-silent struggles faced by many and emphasizes the importance of accountability and transparency in reducing cases of exploitation.
“Theatre, as a communication tool, is powerful because it engages the audience emotionally and intellectually.
“It enables us to see the realities of PSEAH, not as distant problems, but as immediate and personal issues that affect all of us.
“Through storytelling and drama, we can foster understanding and inspire action.
“Zimbabwean culture at its core, values fairness, respect, and integrity.
“Our traditional practices emphasize the importance of community and treating each individual with dignity.
“By integrating these values into PSEAH initiatives, we can create environments that are safe, just, and free from abuse.
“Let this performance be a call to action for us all to uphold the values of respect, fairness, and mutual support in every sphere of our lives,” said Nyamanhindi.
Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Muwanigwa said it was important to realise the current efforts by partners and others in the country, to transform our society.
“It’s building on past of initiatives that have shaped legislative and policy frameworks, promotion of equal participation and representation of women and those in decision making structures and influence societal norms and standards.
“There is more that needs to be done as there are still some things which will militate against the policies.
“Violence and harassment, regardless of who does it, where it is done and whatever justifications is still harassment,” she said.
Chief Director in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Lillian Takaendesa also paid tribute to the Swiss Embassy for coming up with such an initiative.
“It is important to disseminate information in different forms so that it reaches different audiences and that stimulate informal and formal methods.”
She added that it is disheartening to note that sexual exploitation is still rampant as she also revealed that they were working with different partners including PSH and different embassies to clear create an abuse free environment.
“As a Government, we have come up with a sexual harassment policy to guide public sector agencies on how to handle acts of sexual violence in the workplace.
“This is not enough and as a Ministry we have come with a Sexual Harassment Policy.”
The theatre performance which was witnessed by a packed audience, came after the main event on October 14.
