Parly urged to clamp down on revenge pornography

Rutendo Rori Herald Reporter
Women’S rights activists yesterday called on Parliament to enact a law that prohibits the distribution of pornographic material taken privately without the subject’s consent.

Speaking at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, Katswe Sistahood director Ms Talent Jumo said leaking of pornography, mostly done by men, was dehumanising and degrading to women.

“Katswe Sistahood is concerned by the non-consensual publication of explicit material to humiliate, intimidate and dehumanise women’s lives,” she said.

“We are disturbed by the absence of criminal law protecting the privacy of private communications involving sexual expression from publication without the subject’s consent.”

She said innocent girls were being drugged, gang-raped and filmed, which resulted in trauma, humiliation and distress.

“It is hard for a girl whose images are leaked against her will to just move on,” Ms Jumo said.

“Imagine walking on the streets, waiting in the queue in a supermarket, or walking into a job interview and one is always wondering if all eyes looking at you have seen pictures of you in the nude.”

Ms Jumo said the Constitution of Zimbabwe provided for the right to free expression but did not protect malicious injury to a person’s reputation.

Umzingwane Member of Parliament Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said she would present a petition in Parliament outlining the concerns raised by the women’s rights activists.

Among those present was former Miss Zimbabwe Emily Kachote, who was stripped of her title following the leaking of her nude pictures by an allegedly vengeful former boy- friend.