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WOMEN’S COALITION OF ZIMBABWE
Press Release
19 July 2019
The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ), call on duty bearers with mandate to end all forms of gender-based violence to commission an inquiry on sexual abuse allegations made against Walter Magaya of PHD Ministries.
The allegations of sexual violence in circulation on social and mainstream media in the past weeks have caused public alarm resulting is a wave of anxiety, insecurities by women in church spaces, and speculations around conduct of church leaders.
Equally disturbing is the series of videos and images in circulation, where the women who had initially reported violations are withdrawing their reports through the same platforms. This raises questions around credibility of allegations, public confusion and backlash.
Given the fact that the Zimbabwean society is largely religious, it is of public interest that the allegations leveled against Mr. Magaya be taken with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
As the Magaya allegations have caused public interest and alarm among the women of Zimbabwe and the society at large, Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe therefore calls upon:
Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Gender Commission, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission,
Anti-corruption Commission and other relevant authorities to commission an inquiry into Mr Walter Magaya and his church in order to establish the truth behind the allegations.
Parliament of Zimbabwe for the development of a regulatory framework that ensures that there is human rights oversight and safeguarding in churches.
We are calling on women and girls who have been sexually abused to come forward and as women rights organisations we commit to provide support, security and ensure the cases are reported and followed up with the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Church leaders to ensure safeguarding mechanisms are in place to safe guard women and girls in the church space.
Church congregants to exercise collective oversight of the church space to ensure human rights are upheld, (being my sister’s keeper) to put a spotlight on issues of Gender based Violence and sexual abuse from victim safeguarding approach continue raising awareness to give confidence to victims of sexual abuse to
report and ensure that coverage of Sexual abuse uphold the dignity of victims.
The general populace to desist from the practice of vilifying and denigrating women who speak out against sexual violence.
People with information to contribute to investigations to come forward and speak out.
We all have a role to play to create a safe Zimbabwean society where women and girls rights are respected and we remain ready and available to support all initiatives to end all forms of violence
against women and girls.
//ENDS