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Daniel Nemukuyu Investigations Editor

WOMEN have proved to be the more law- abiding citizens than their male counterparts, with official statistics showing females in the country’s prisons countrywide constituting 2,1 percent of the current population of 20 898 inmates.

There are 447 female inmates countrywide.

They constitute 2,1 percent of the current prison population, which has since surpassed the holding capacity of 17 000 inmates.

Official statistics confirm men as the biggest culprits in terms of committing criminal offences with at least 20 451 of them languishing in the country’s prisons.

Soaring figures of men who commit offences have piled pressure on the prison authorities, constraining their budget and resources.

Such news come at a time women are in celebratory mood following the International Women’s Day that fell on March 8 under the theme #BreakTheBias.

March becomes a women’s month where women’s successes can be celebrated.

The statistics show that 15 393 men are convicted criminals who are serving their jail terms for different offences while 5 058 of them are still on remand.

Out of the incarcerated 447 female inmates, 241 are convicted criminals serving their prison terms while 206 are still on remand pending determination of their cases.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) national spokesperson Chief Superintendant Meya Khanyezi hailed women for being law abiding citizens.

“The figures show that male inmates make the greater percentage of our prison population, which is high, with women constituting a smaller number.

“As we commemorate Women’s Month, we continue to urge them to desist from committing criminal offenses and try as much as possible to stay away from prison,” said Chief Supt Khanyezi.

Chief Supt Khanyezi urged the courts to ensure speedy completion of trial to reduce the number of those suspects in remand prison.

“As Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service, we hope that the recently introduced virtual courts system, shall go a long way in settling inmates’ cases so that pressure on correctional facilities that house inmates awaiting trial is reduced,” she said.

Former Law Society of Zimbabwe president Mrs Vimbai Nyemba hailed women of Zimbabwe for discipline.

“Women are law abiding citizens. They fear God and shun sin but as mere mortals they fall into the traps of sin sometimes.

“Criminal activities are sinful activities and most women being God-fearing as they are, will try to avoid crime.

“Women try to live for their children and they fear criminal activities which will take them away from their families when they are incarcerated.

“When you have a criminal record, society looks at you negatively. Women are so sensitive to societal eyes and would rather comply than face the embarrassment,” said Mrs Nyemba.

A legal practitioner and an advocate for women’s right Ms Jaqueline Sande said women have a reason to celebrate this month.

“The statistics shows that women constitute only 2.1% of the prison population. It shows that women are less inclined to commit offences than their male counterparts.

“This is a fact which should be celebrated and acknowledged when advocating and pushing for diversity in leadership positions, the workplace and all other spheres of society,” said Ms Sande.

Another lawyer and former public prosecutor Ms Vennah Maramba said the figure of 447 female offenders in prison should be reduced to zero.

“Although the figure seems relatively low against a backdrop of our culture and society, its a figure that should be at zero.

“Lack of opportunities and an oppressive patriarchal society have lured women into a lives of crime where the rewards are non-existant,” she said.

South Africa based Zimbabwean lawyer Mrs Tambudzai Gonese Manjonjo expressed concern over cases where care givers are sent to jail with their babies.

“My concern is on sending caregivers to prison,sometimes with their babies. I feel the State should seriously consider alternatives to prison for women who have young children that they take care of as a formal policy,” she said.