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Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

THE alleged sexual harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation of women in Zimbabwean football remains under investigation, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission has said as it presses on with the investigation started three months ago.

The investigations follow complaints from some of those allegedly abused and concerns by sport lovers, football stakeholders and Zimbabweans in general, over the alleged prevalence sexual harassment and exploitation of women in football.

The gender commission opened the investigations in March this year after women referees lodged complaints.

In an interview, gender commission chief executive officer Mrs Virginia Muwanigwa said: “We are still conducting investigations and we will issue a report when the investigations are complete.” 

The commission praised the women for opening up on the issues regardless of the stigmatisation and intimidation which usually follow such reports.

Gender commission chairperson Commissioner Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe said the complaints indicated the prevalence of endemic discrimination and dehumanisation of women within football refereeing and the entire football sector, which had been controlled by men for a long time.

Comm Mukahanana-Sangarwe said the facts indicated the prevalence of gender rights violations such as sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and sexual extortion in form of sex for selection which hindered women’s participation and performance in sports.

“As a Constitutional body mandated to ensure compliance with gender equality values within all the spheres of socio-economic activity, we take these allegations seriously. 

“Full achievement of gender equality would involve full participation of women at parity with men within the sporting sector,” said Comm Mukahanana-Sangarwe.

The creation of safe spaces for women and girls to participate without fear of being preyed upon, discriminated against and dehumanised by predators who could be powerful figures, was key to the achievement of gender equality, she said.

Comm Mukahanana-Sangarwe said the role of sport in uniting people, promoting healthy lifestyles and the economic benefits associated with participation could not be overemphasised.

The Zimbabwe Gender Commission had been a key observer of the challenges in sport, which include corruption, maladministration and a general decay in standards.

The ultimate objective of the investigation was to ensure that injustices were remedied and State and non-state actors involved in football affairs were directed to put in measures for the sanitisation of the football sector.