Research Findings
Zimbabwe Peace Project
Figure 7: Categories of violence experienced by women
Sextortion: Rape stricto sensu
Sextortion is a subtle form of VAWP where those in power demand sex and sexual
favors as payment for assistance/services rendered. In most political parties in
Zimbabwe, including the ruling party (ZANU PF) and the largest opposition political
party (CCC), it is the men who wield such power and as such, use it against women
intending to participate in politics as political party leaders or candidates in elections.
This practice is fueled by the unfounded belief by some men that women who
participate in politics are of loose morals and as such, must “sleep their way to
leadership positions.” Most women who participated in this study confirmed that
sextortion is rampant in their political parties. 16 of the women reached out to were
victims of sextortion. In its strict sense (stricto sensu), sextortion is a form of rape. This
is because the consent that is given by a woman who wants assistance in becoming a
candidate or to assume a leadership position in a political party is not willingly given,
neither is it genuine or voluntary. It is given under coercive circumstances. There is no
free
will
or
agency
on
the
part
of
the
woman.
Rather,
the
consent
is
constructed/engineered and shrouded in helplessness and incapacity to resist. It is
consent which is given by someone in an exploitative position of dependency and
vulnerability.
The consent is given in the context of unequal power dynamics. There is fear of loss on
the part of the woman and an undue advantage on the part of the man. Things being
equal, the act itself is unwanted on the part of the woman.
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