By Wanique Block
Women in Zimbabwe are protesting the governments ban on the importing of sex toys in the country.
In Zimbabwe importing sex toys is regarded as a criminal act, which criminalises the shipping of any goods regarded as “indecent” and “immoral”.
This law has been active for decades, however despite this, women’s rights activists are fighting back now.
Activists are arguing that legalising sex toys will mean that distribution of these toys will be regulated effectively.
The Women’s Academy For Leadership and Political Excellence, an organisation in Zimbabwe that advocates for the rights of women in politics, has spearheaded the movement to review and protest the law that prohibits the import of sex toys in Zimbabwe.
Sitabile Dewa, an executive director at the group, spoke to VICE World News about how the ban on sex toys violates a women’s right to choice, association and pleasure.
“The act bars the importation of sex toys. This clause infringes on women’s rights to choice, association and pleasure”, Sitabile says.
On the 20th of December 2022, 23-year-old influencer Ayanda Muponda was convicted by a magistrate in Harare Zimbabwe for the smuggling and selling sex toys.
Prosecutors argued that Ayanda was exposing children to pornographic material after it appeared that she had sold sex toys worth $1,000 to a 12-year-old girl.
Ayanda noted that she didn’t realise the customer was a 12 year old. Ayanda said she immediately offered a refund the girl’s mother after being told about the girl’s age.
Due to the increase in arrests, women’s rights campaigners argue that legalising and regulating sex toys will prevent similar disturbing events from happening in the future.
They emphasise that under new rules, sex-toy traders would be prevented from selling to minors in the same way alcohol, cigarettes and condoms are sold and regulated.
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